Why Surrounding Noise Tires Us Out, Even When We Don't Notice It

The noise around us — traffic, voices, phone notifications — tires us out even when we are not aware of it, according to an explanation provided by Nicole Păcuraru in the "Medical Reality" segment.

Sounds do not need to be loud to affect us. Background noise is not completely ignored by the brain; rather, it is constantly processed, even if in the background. This continuous processing consumes energy, which explains the feeling of fatigue we experience without any apparent cause.

This is why moments of silence can have a powerful effect on us — not necessarily because they are pleasant, but because they are rare and, according to the explanation provided, essential for restoring the energy the brain expends in constantly processing the sounds around us.