As the passenger, I mean. I can see how driving takes concentration. But the passengers just sit on their backsides doing nothing. And still, if you sit in a car for a few hours, you end up really tired. Why is that? Is it just because you can’t change position and the space is a little cramped? The air quality? Why?
Maybe the subtle vibration of the vehicle lulls you into drowsiness?
I would guess that’s the cause for some people. It does not make me tired to be a passenger. Sometimes I wish it did.
The body of a passenger riding in a car is actually doing some work compared to just sitting at home on the couch. Muscles tense up and relax again reacting to bumps in the road, cornering, slowing, etc.
You don’t fall forward into the dash when the driver hits the brakes, or against the door when he turns a corner, you resist the motion and that is work, not much but some. The more active the ride the more work it is to just sit there.
You have an ever changing view through the window, constantly changing at an unnatural rate of speed. Even if you are not paying much attention to it (though the fact that is changing may tend to grab your attention anyway), your brain is still processing this constant stream of changing information to some degree. I think that could be a factor.
I do find it mildly stressful, as a passenger, when something through the window catches my eye but quickly goes out of view before I can really take it in, even when I turn my eyes and head to follow it. This can happen many, many times on a lengthy journey.
Do you mean tired as in fatigued or tired as in drowsy? The potential causes for each are quite different.
The few medial professionals I’ve asked about this all say the movement is what makes you drowsy, that it’s akin to the movement a baby experiences being carried by a parent.
I meant fatigued. It makes me drowsy as well, but I can kind of understand that.
I wonder if it’s because you’re sleep deprived. When you’re out and about and doing things (or even driving, provided it’s not too far), you don’t really feel it, but when you have to sit still for a while, that’s when it comes out. (I once feel asleep while getting my hair cut, and I think sleep deprivation is why.)
Also, sitting makes me tired.
Lack of things to do? (Even if one has a smartphone, apparently).