Motion sickness can make traveling uncomfortable and stressful. Whether you’re on a car ride, a plane, or a boat, feeling dizzy, nauseous, or uneasy can ruin the experience. The good news is that there are simple ways to prevent motion sickness so you can enjoy your trips without worry. With a few easy tips and small changes, you can stay comfortable and make traveling more enjoyable.
Living with Motion Sickness
During a recent trip to Central America, I found myself in a San Salvador emergency room because of severe motion sickness. It was a frightening experience I never want to repeat.
Motion sickness has been a lifelong struggle for me. While it improved during my younger years, it has worsened with age, making activities like boat rides or roller coasters entirely impossible.
On this trip, a shuttle ride to Volcán de Santa Ana during rush hour brought on the worst motion sickness I have had in years. I felt sick for days and eventually needed emergency care. This experience has motivated me to find better ways to prevent motion sickness in the future so I can avoid similar situations.
What Causes Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness happens when your brain gets mixed signals from your senses. This confusion occurs because your eyes, inner ears, and body send different messages about movement. For example, when you’re reading a book in a moving car, your eyes see a still page, but your inner ear senses the motion of the car. This conflict confuses your brain, leading to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or sweating.
The inner ear plays a big role in balance and detecting motion. When it senses movement that doesn’t match what your eyes or body feel, it can trigger motion sickness. This is why activities like boat rides, roller coasters, or even sitting in the back seat of a car can cause problems.
Other factors can also make motion sickness worse, like strong smells, anxiety, or focusing on a screen during travel. Some people are more sensitive to motion sickness due to genetics or personal triggers. Understanding what causes it is the first step to finding ways to prevent it and enjoy smoother trips.
Who Is More Likely to Get it?
Anyone can experience motion sickness, but some people are more likely to struggle with preventing motion sickness than others. For example, children between the ages of 2 and 12 tend to be more sensitive. As you get older, motion sickness might improve for some, but for others, like me, it can return or even worsen with age.
Women are also more likely to have motion sickness, especially during pregnancy or around their menstrual cycle. This could be due to hormonal changes that affect balance and how the body reacts to movement.
Your family history can also play a role. If one or both of your parents experience motion sickness, there’s a higher chance you might too. People who get migraines often are also more prone to motion sickness because the two conditions can share similar triggers.
Common Triggers
Motion sickness can be caused by many triggers that confuse your brain and body. One common trigger is being in a moving vehicle, like a car, boat, or plane. Sitting in the back seat or where you can’t see the road can make it worse because your eyes don’t match what your body feels.
Reading or using a phone while traveling is another trigger. Your eyes focus on a still object, like a book or screen, while your inner ear senses movement, creating mixed signals for your brain.
Strong smells, like car fumes or perfume, can also trigger motion sickness. Similarly, activities like roller coasters or amusement park rides that involve sudden or repeated motion are common causes.
Stress and anxiety can make motion sickness worse too. Feeling nervous about the trip can heighten your sensitivity to motion. Knowing these triggers can help you prepare and find ways to prevent motion sickness, making your travels much smoother.
Symptoms of Motion Sickness
The symptoms of motion sickness can start quickly and make traveling very uncomfortable. The most common sign is feeling nauseous or sick to your stomach. You might also feel dizzy or lightheaded, like the world is spinning.
Other symptoms include sweating, a headache, or a general feeling of unease. Some people might turn pale, yawn a lot, or feel very tired. In severe cases, motion sickness can even cause vomiting.
These symptoms usually begin when you are exposed to the movement that triggers motion sickness, like being in a car, boat, or plane. The symptoms can last for a short time or stay with you long after the movement stops.
Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness
Here are some effective ways that have helped me prevent motion sickness and make my travels more enjoyable:
1. Choose the Right Seat
Choose a seat where you feel the least movement. In a car, sit in the front seat, and on a plane, pick a seat near the wings. If you’re on a boat, stay in the middle where it feels more stable.
2. Focus on the Horizon
Focus on a steady point, such as the horizon, to help your brain and body stay in sync. This simple trick was incredibly effective in preventing motion sickness during my recent trip to Asia, especially while traveling on buses for long hours.
3. Avoid Screens and Reading
Avoid looking at your phone, reading, or focusing on a still object while your body is moving. It can be tempting, especially since we rely on our phones for everything nowadays. However, this can confuse your brain and make motion sickness worse.
4. Get Fresh Air
Open a window or step outside to get some fresh air. This simple step can help reduce nausea and dizziness, making your journey more comfortable.
5. Eat Light
Before traveling, have a small, light meal to keep your stomach settled. Avoid greasy, heavy, or spicy foods, as these can upset your stomach and make motion sickness symptoms worse during your trip.
6. Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and during your trip. Avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks, as they can dehydrate you and make motion sickness worse. I’ve found this simple tip to be really helpful in preventing motion sickness and keeping my symptoms under control.
7. Try Natural Remedies
Sipping on ginger tea, enjoying ginger candies, or even chewing gum can work wonders in calming your stomach and easing nausea. Some people also find relief by using acupressure bands, which apply gentle pressure to specific points on your wrist to help prevent motion sickness.
8. Use Medication if Needed
If nothing else works, over-the-counter motion sickness medicines like Dramamine can provide relief, though they may cause drowsiness. Personally, I’ve found that natural remedies, like ginger or acupressure bands, work well for me. Since I prefer to avoid medications and their potential side effects, sticking to these natural options has been a great way to prevent motion sickness.
Overcoming Motion Sickness
Motion sickness can be a challenge, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to ruin your trips. Everyone is different, so finding what works best for you might take some trial and error. The key is to plan ahead and take small steps to stay comfortable. By understanding your body and being prepared, you can enjoy traveling without letting motion sickness hold you back.
