10 Tips on Avoiding Sea and Motion Sickness While Traveling

You don’t have to avoid travel if you’re the type of person who easily feels dizzy or nauseous from the motion of a car, boat, train or plane. Motion sickness is caused by a disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion and symptoms arise from the inner ear due to changes in one’s sense of balance and equilibrium. While it may not be possible to completely prevent all cases of motion sickness, these tips will help lessen the severity or prevent symptoms all together.

Watch What You Eat

Heavy, spicy or fat-rich foods may worsen motion sickness in some people, and avoid excessive alcohol or any foods or liquids that may not agree with you. Also avoid strong food odors.

Ginger

Ginger has been proven to prevent and combat nausea. Drink some ginger ale (provided it has real ginger in it) or chew on some ginger candy.

Location

Try to choose a seat where you will feel the least amount of motion. Sit in the front seat of a car or sit in the middle of an airplane over the wing. On a ship, those in lower-level cabins near the center of a ship generally experience less motion than passengers in higher or outer cabins. On buses and trains, don’t sit facing backwards from your direction of travel.

Stabilize

Get some stability. Place your hand on a flat, stable surface to help your body regain its bearings and fight off nausea. It may be difficult to do when you’re actually moving, but once you’ve stopped, try placing your hand on a wall or tabletop.

Look at the Horizon

Keeping your head up and looking at something stable in the distance, like the horizon, will help your body regain it’s bearings and stave off nausea.

Fresh Air

If possible, open a window, vent or source of fresh air.

Sleep

Try to get some sleep if you are able. Not getting enough sleep before a trip can increase feelings of nausea, impair your immune system and generally make you feel queasy all over.

Don’t Read

This one may be a bit obvious, but do not read while traveling if you are prone to motion sickness.

Medication

Over-the-counter medication, such as Bonine, Antivert and Dramamine, can be a very effective preventive measure for short trips or for mild cases of motion sickness. Your doctor also may choose to prescribe medications for longer trips or if you repeatedly develop severe motion sickness. Remember that these pills can cause drowsiness and other side effects, and usage should be discussed with your physician prior to your trip.

Just Breathe

Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, slowly and repeatedly, has been researched and proven to help reduce and stop nausea.