I don't know for sure, but I do know the part about hanging around the closed areas draining your energy is true. I like exploring and tried to go by one anyway, but I got dizzy just hanging around the warning sign.

[Upon closer inspection, she does seem a little weary herself, but she hides it well under her cheery disposition.]

Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but if one part's true, I don't see why they'd lie about the rest of it.