There isn't a guaranteed method, but you may be able to reduce eye watering when you yawn by subtly altering your yawning technique or body position to decrease pressure on your tear ducts.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
When you yawn, the muscles in your face tense up. This tension can put pressure on your lacrimal glands (the glands that produce tears) and the nasolacrimal duct (the duct that drains tears from your eyes into your nose). The increased pressure can force tears out of your eyes, causing them to water.
Here are a few things you can try:
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Modify Your Yawn:
- Try a smaller yawn: Instead of a wide-mouthed, full-bodied yawn, try a smaller, more controlled one.
- Tense different muscles: Consciously try to tense muscles in your neck or shoulders instead of your face while yawning. This might shift the pressure away from your tear ducts.
- Yawn with your mouth closed: This reduces facial muscle movement, potentially reducing tear production.
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Change Your Position:
- Tilt your head: Experiment with tilting your head back or to the side slightly while yawning. This might help to reduce pressure on the tear ducts.
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Apply Gentle Pressure:
- Press lightly on the inner corner of your eye: Applying gentle pressure to the inner corner of your eye (where the tear duct drains) might help to keep the tears from overflowing.
Why these methods might work: By changing the way you yawn or positioning yourself differently, you are essentially trying to minimize the pressure exerted on your lacrimal glands and nasolacrimal duct. It is important to note that these techniques may not work for everyone, as the amount of tearing can vary depending on individual anatomy and the intensity of the yawn. If excessive tearing is a persistent problem, consult an eye doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
