It’s official, yawning is good for you. But why do we yawn? According to sleep experts, it releases the ‘feel good’ hormone serotonin, as well as dopamine, which helps influence mood and sleep.

A study of 2,000 adults commissioned by Bensons for Beds revealed that the average adult yawns five times a day – with between 8 pm and 10 pm the most popular time. Although this was closely followed by the afternoon period of 2 pm to 4 pm.

Nearly four in 10 i.e. 37 per cent, think yawning is good for you and 40 per cent feel more energised. However, in some cases, yawning has interrupted a work meeting or when listening to a friend tell a story – and in a job interview.

The study also revealed the 30 most awkward moments people have been caught yawning, which include at a wedding, on a date and even when meeting a partner’s parents. At a funeral, at the dentist and while giving a presentation also featured in the list.

With a dozy 13 per cent even admitting to having stifled one while a friend was tearfully sharing emotional news.

But why do we yawn? Do our yawns have meaning? Aside from the top two reasons for yawning – tiredness and ‘catching’ one from someone else - 32 per cent cite boredom as a big cause, while 20 per cent put it down to stress or anxiety.

Sleep Expert Dr Sophie Bostock said, “Contrary to popular belief, yawning can be beneficial – it is associated with the release of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which can have a stress-relieving effect.

“There are several theories about why we yawn, but there’s no one definitive answer. Yawning is often associated with stretching, and increased flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which helps to wake us up. Yawning can also increase before and during stressful situations and may have a role in promoting relaxation. We also tend to yawn more in hot weather, which might indicate that it has a role in controlling temperature,” Bostock adds.

Research shows that in humans and animals yawning is also contagious. The study revealed that 84 per cent of adults think yawning is contagious, with 71 per cent likely to do so if someone near them succumbs to one.

Sometimes though, we’d like to know how to stop yawning. In some cases, this has interrupted a serious conversation, sometimes causing laughter, or even leading to being called out by a friend or family member for being rude.

But 45 per cent said they’re not intentionally being impolite, with 37 per cent claiming yawning should not cause you to be judged. It also emerged that 35 per cent think there are different types of yawns.

To hide a yawn, 53 per cent use their hand to cover their mouth, while others close their mouth tightly i.e. 44 per cent, or breathe deeply through the nose i.e. 25 per cent.

Six in 10 reckon they’re good at hiding it, but 29 per cent admit their efforts are never successful – with those caught yawning left feeling embarrassed, awkward – and apologetic.

The top three ways people yawn are polite – with the mouth kept small so as not to disturb anyone (32 per cent), silently but dramatically – with the mouth wide open (20 per cent), and a yawn that starts normally but then is embellished with sound effects (15 per cent).