Why Do My Eyes Water When I Yawn?

Have you ever wondered why your eyes water when you yawn? It’s a common phenomenon that many people experience, yet few understand why it happens. While it might seem like your body is playing tricks on you, there’s actually a simple explanation behind this curious connection. 

 

Let’s explore the science behind yawning and watery eyes. 

The mechanics of yawning 

Yawning is a natural reflex that involves opening your mouth wide, taking a deep breath in, and exhaling. It’s often associated with tiredness, boredom, or even a need to cool your brain down. 

But yawning doesn’t just involve your mouth and lungs — it also engages a range of muscles in your face, including the muscles around your eyes. This is where the connection to watery eyes begins. 

Why do your eyes water? 

When we yawn, there are several reasons why our eyes water. Here, we break those reasons down into three main triggers: 

1. Increased pressure in facial muscles 

When we yawn, our facial muscles stretch and this includes the ones around our eyes. This stretching can put slight pressure on the nearby tear glands (also known as the lacrimal glands), which are responsible for producing tears. As a result, these glands may release a small number of tears, causing your eyes to water. 

2. Triggered tear drainage 

Your tear ducts, which help drain tears from your eyes into your nose, are located near the muscles activated during a yawn. The pressure and movement from yawning can momentarily disrupt this drainage system, leading to tears pooling in your eyes. 

3. Reflexive response 

Yawning often involves a wide stretch of your face and body, which can stimulate nerves around your eyes. This stimulation may trigger a reflexive tear response, even though there’s no emotional or irritative cause for tears. 

Why Don’t My Eyes Always Water When I Yawn? 

Not everyone’s eyes will water every time they yawn, and that’s completely normal. Several different factors can influence whether or not your eyes tear up during a yawn. These include: 

• Hydration levels: Dehydration can reduce tear production whereas being well hydrated is likely to result in eyes watering during yawning. 

• Facial tension: If you’re more relaxed, the pressure on your tear glands may be less pronounced. 

• Environmental factors: Dry or windy conditions can affect tear production and drainage too. 

Is it a cause for concern? 

For most people, watery eyes during yawning are completely harmless. However, if you notice excessive tearing in general—whether or not you’re yawning—it could be a sign of an underlying issue, such as: 

• Blocked tear ducts. 

• Eye irritation from allergies or dry eye syndrome. 

• Infection of the tear ducts or surrounding areas. 

If watery eyes are frequent and bothersome, it’s a good idea to consult an optometrist or GP for advice. 

Fun facts about yawning and tears 

Just for fun, we’ve included some interesting facts about yawning and tears: 

• Yawning is contagious: Seeing or hearing someone yawning can make you yawn—and potentially make your eyes water too. 

• Tears serve many functions: Tears don’t just express emotion; they keep your eyes lubricated, protect against irritants, and even contain enzymes that fight bacteria. 

• Babies yawn too: Even unborn babies yawn in the womb, although their tear ducts don’t fully develop until after their birth. 

Final thoughts 

If your eyes water when you yawn, there’s no need to worry—it’s just your body’s natural response to the stretching and pressure that yawning causes. It’s a small reminder of how interconnected our bodily systems are, with even the simplest actions triggering multiple effects. 

For more information on yawning, head over to our YawnHub. We’re encouraging everyone to embrace yawning and celebrate the feel-good vibes a good old yawn leaves you with.