How to avoid motion sickness

Motion sickness affects many people, especially when travelling by boat, plane, car, or even on amusement park rides. While each type of journey might feel different, the cause of this unpleasant sickness is the same—a mix-up in the signals sent to your brain. Here, we’ll explain what causes motion sickness, how to avoid it, and how to treat it effectively.

Key Takeaways

Choose Stable Spots and Face Forward

Sitting in stable areas, like the middle of a boat or over the wing of a plane, and facing forward can help prevent motion sickness by aligning your senses with the movement.

Mind Your Diet Before Travelling

Avoid heavy, greasy meals, dairy, and alcohol before travelling, as these can worsen nausea. Keeping your stomach light can help reduce motion sickness symptoms.

Medication and Natural Remedies

If you still experience symptoms, try motion sickness medication like Avomine or Kwells, or natural remedies like ginger. Acupressure wristbands are also popular, though their effectiveness varies by person.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when there’s a conflict between the messages sent by your eyes, ears, muscles, and brain. Your body uses these senses to understand its position and movement:

• Eyes see if you’re moving or stationary.

• Inner ears sense motion and balance.

• Muscles tell the brain if they’re active (e.g., walking or sitting still).

When you’re in a car, plane, or boat, your inner ears detect movement, but your muscles stay still, and your eyes may see a steady view, such as the car interior. This mix-up confuses the brain, which can lead to nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms of motion sickness.

How to Avoid Motion Sickness

Some people are more sensitive to motion sickness than others, and certain situations—like being on a boat—can make it worse. If you experience motion sickness regularly, here are some ways to prevent it:

1. Choose a Stable Spot

Pick a place where you’ll feel the least motion:

• On a plane, sit over the wing, where movement is less noticeable.

• On a boat, stay in the middle and closer to the lower decks, as these areas are more stable.

• In a car, sit in the front seat and face forward, as this helps your eyes and inner ears align with the car’s movement.

2. Consider Being the Driver

If you tend to feel sick during car journeys, try driving. Drivers experience motion sickness far less than passengers because their body and brain are engaged in controlling the vehicle, which reduces the conflict in sensory signals.

3. Watch Your Diet Before Travelling

What you eat and drink before a journey can affect your likelihood of experiencing motion sickness. Try to:

• Avoid foods that make you feel very full or uncomfortable.

• Skip heavy, greasy meals and avoid dairy products and alcohol, as they can worsen nausea.

• Avoid smoking before travelling, as it can make symptoms worse.

4. Focus on the Horizon

To help your brain understand the movement, avoid activities that add to the confusion:

• Don’t read, watch screens, or look down, as these make it harder for your brain to process motion.

• Instead, look out the window or focus on a stable point, like the horizon.

How to Treat Motion Sickness

If you still experience motion sickness despite taking preventive steps, several effective treatments can help.

1. Medications for Motion Sickness

There are reliable medications for treating motion sickness available in the UK. UK Meds offers two effective options:

• Avomine: This antihistamine blocks receptors in the stomach, helping prevent nausea related to motion sickness.

• Kwells: Kwells works by blocking the brain’s motion-sensing messages, effectively stopping motion sickness symptoms.

Both are proven remedies to reduce nausea and discomfort while travelling.

2. Try Acupressure

Many people use acupressure for motion sickness by pressing on specific points, like the inside of the wrists. Special wristbands with small bumps can apply constant pressure to these points. Although science doesn’t fully back this up, many people find it helpful, possibly due to the placebo effect.

3. Use Ginger as a Natural Remedy

Ginger is often used to settle upset stomachs, and some studies suggest it can help with nausea. Ginger tea, ginger tablets, or even ginger biscuits can be a gentle option to reduce motion sickness symptoms.

Final Thoughts

Motion sickness can make journeys uncomfortable, but by understanding what causes it and following these steps, you can help prevent or reduce your symptoms. Whether you choose to sit in a stable spot, avoid confusing activities, or use medications like Avomine or Kwells, you can find a way to manage motion sickness effectively and enjoy your travels.