Why Do We Get Sleepy on the Train? The Secret of "Fluctuation"
Posted by 良請川
Many people have probably experienced feeling mysteriously sleepy and dozing off while on a swaying train.
The state of feeling sleepy can be rephrased as a state where the mind and body are relaxed.
This time, let's uncover the secret of why we get sleepy on trains.
1. The secret is "fluctuation"
～From the train, to meditation through stimulation
When young to middle-aged people ride trains, they often feel comfortable in the space.
There are various reasons, such as the almost regular sound from the rail joints, engine noise and vehicle vibrations, the force of acceleration felt by the body, visual perception of spatial movement, landscape, and soundscape.
These contain various "fluctuations," which are thought to bring about overall healing.
Let's medically explain this state of mind and body.
Train stimulation creates a meditative state
Humans are equipped with an autonomic nervous system.
It is a nerve that skillfully regulates the body without conscious effort.
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves work in opposition to each other, maintaining a delicate balance.
The sympathetic nervous system activates the body during the day, while the parasympathetic nervous system rests the body at night.
When sitting on a train, people feel pleasant due to moderate stimulation in a calm environment.
In other words, it can be said that this is similar to actions such as deep breathing, stretching, listening to favorite music, contemplating leisurely, or meditating.
2. Train trivia
～Train otaku include photographers, riders, and sound enthusiasts
Train enthusiasts are affectionately called "Tetsudo Otaku," or "Tetsu-ota" for short.
Among them, there are the well-known "Toritetsu" (photo enthusiasts) who take pictures, and "Noritetsu" (riding enthusiasts) who focus on riding trains, but there are also "Ototetsu" (sound enthusiasts) who enjoy train sounds, station announcements, melodies, and announcements on platforms.
The train sound, the "gatan-goton" sound and vibration, occurs when passing over rail joints.
This moderate stimulation has the power to soothe people.
Music has been used at various stations.
Haneda and Shinagawa have airport chimes, Yokohama has "Blue Light Yokohama," and Kurihama Station plays "Cosmos."
If you visit stations across the country, you will surely encounter heartwarming songs related to various connections and associations.
3. Dvořák's New World
The Czech composer Dvořák is famous as the originator of "railway otaku."
Active at the end of the 19th century, he bridged classical and pop music.
The second movement of his representative symphony "From the New World" has Japanese lyrics and is affectionately known as "To a Distant Mountain, the Sun Sets."
He loved trains from childhood, and even when he taught at the Prague Conservatory, his class schedule was based on train schedules.
At the age of 51, he was invited to be the director of a music conservatory in America.
It is said that he accepted because he could experience the latest railroads in the New World.
At that time, the "New World" referred to the land of America, and he had many expectations for its development.
Here are the lyrics to "To a Distant Mountain, the Sun Sets."
To a distant mountain, the sun sets, the stars dot the sky.
Having finished today's work, with a light heart and at peace,
the wind is cool this evening; come, let us gather happily.
The final "madoisen" (円居せん, 団居) means "to sit in a circle, to gather in a circle, for close friends to gather, talk, and spend enjoyable time together, to have a pleasant family gathering (danran)."
It's truly a song and lyrics that touch the heart.
Let's listen, sing, and savor it.
4. Recharge your brain with "Toremin"
Albums with well-arranged soundscapes (trains, stations, sounds of crowds and people's voices) related to trains are available for streaming and on CD (Toremin series).
If you listen carefully, it's as if the landscapes of your childhood are welling up or being resurrected in your mind. Please try it once.
Recommended Music
This is a series supervised by Dr. Bando, who wrote this column, offering a virtual experience as if you were on a train, and train music with calming melodies.
Artist: RELAX WORLD
Hiroshi Bando
Doctor of Medicine
Shikoku Branch Manager, Japan Society of Integrative Medicine
Representative, Tokushima Carbohydrate Restriction Study Group
Graduated from Tokushima University, obtained ECFMG certification, and completed clinical training in family medicine in the USA. Specialized fields include anti-aging, carbohydrate restriction, music therapy, and sports medicine. Competed in the National Sports Festival as an ice skater (1999-2003). Chairman of the 9th Japan Music Therapy Society Conference (2009). Silver prize winner at the 3rd European International Piano Competition (EIPIC) in Japan (2012). Chairman of the Japan Primary Care Association Conference (2017, Takamatsu).
Editor-in-Chief of 4 English medical journals on diabetes (2024). Authored over 30 books, over 2,000 printed materials, and over 500 English papers. Representative of "Shin Rojin no Kai" (New Elders Association) Tokushima.
Official website: https://pianomed.org/
