Travel is exhausting

[Anand S]

This is surprising because... well, we're just sitting and the vehicle's doing the work, right?

But:

• Vehicles accelerate, brake, bump, turn, vibrate, ... and our muscles micro-adjust continously so we sit upright. Over hours hours, that's a lot of energy.
• We feel like we're still. But the inner-ear fluids, eyes, etc. constantly get feedback about motion. That mentally drains us (and causes motion sickness).
• Noise from vehicles, traffic, ... triggers cortisol, a stress hormone. That drains us.
• Sitting in one place restricts blood flow and it pools in our legs, making the heart work harder.
• In flights, the air pressure is low, lowering oxygen levels. The dehydration thickens our blood, making pumping harder.

What helps is:

• Noise-cancelling headphones (reduces the rumbling / traffing sounds)
• Compression socks (reduce blood pooling in the feet)
• Eye masks
• Good back support

... and the usual good habits:

• Drink water
• Exercise
• Fasting / eating light
• Breathe slowly