There are few things that can ruin a trip more than getting sick, and illnesses that affect the stomach tend to be some of the worst of all. Motion sickness, in particular, can make already stressful aspects of traveling feel borderline unbearable, turning something as routine as a flight into a never-ending experience of discomfort and misery. While there’s no surefire way to prevent it entirely, we have discovered a few ways to curb motion sickness to make any type of travel feel much more comfortable. Read on for some of our go-to tips.
For Airsickness
If you know that air travel tends to make you feel nauseous, one of the best things you can do to settle your stomach is opt for a window seat when booking your flight, as staring at the horizon can provide visual stability that helps to recalibrate your body’s sense of equilibrium. Avoid heavy meals before and during your flight, and keep ginger candies or peppermint tea bags in your carry-on. Both have been shown to reduce nausea by relaxing stomach muscles and increasing gastric emptying.
For Seasickness
Seasickness is quite common during water travel, especially on smaller vessels like pontoons and sailboats. As with air travel, fixing your gaze on the distant shoreline can calm nausea by helping your inner ear adjust to the movement. Fresh air can also make a big difference, so stay on deck near the center of the boat where any rocking will be less severe. If all else fails, try acupressure wristbands, or talk to your doctor about anti-nausea medications.
For Carsickness
A little knowledge and preparation can go a long way toward preventing motion sickness on long car rides. Most important is to look out the window and avoid activities like reading that require close focus on one small point, creating what’s known as a “sensory mismatch.” If you can, keep the windows open to ventilate the car, and make regular stops to step outside and get some fresh air. Snack on light, non-greasy snacks such as saltine crackers, and take small sips of water to stay hydrated without irritating your stomach.