Eli5: Why is it so much harder to stay awake when someone next to you is sleeping?
In: Biology
This is definitely just my own thoughts, as I’m not sure there is a medical reason, but likely the person sleeping next to you is a friend or someone very close to you, emotionally. People have a nature tendency to mimic those they feel close to (we see this in apes too). So if they cross their legs, you do the same. The same likely happens for sleeping. Your body is used to mimicking their actions, so you feel like you too should be laying flat with your eyes closed. Therefore, it’s time to sleep!
Latest Answers