If you suffer from motion sickness, you are most likely afraid of every long car ride. This problem could also interfere with fun activities with friends or commuting to work. Motion sickness is just one type of motion sickness that some people experience when traveling by this means of transport. The most common symptoms are dizziness, cold sweats, fatigue and nausea. What can you do to avoid getting sick in the first place? Practice the simple tips and tricks in this tutorial to enjoy a trip without nausea.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change the Way You Travel
Step 1. Sit in the front seat
Doctors believe motion sickness is triggered by an imbalance between what the eyes see and how the body interprets the movement of the vehicle. For example, if the eyes see the seat in front (which is stationary), but the body perceives curves and speed, the inner ear is confused; this is what causes the nausea and dizziness so typical of motion sickness. To avoid this sensation, you must direct your gaze to the road ahead, so that both the eyes and the body receive and interpret the same signals. If you sit in the front seat, you are less likely to perceive the discrepancy between what the eyes see and how the body interprets the movement.
If you lead, you have the advantage of having a task to focus on that distracts you from motion sickness. However, traveling seated in the passenger seat can also alleviate the discomfort
Step 2. Look at the horizon
Having a fixed point in front on which to focus your gaze allows you to keep the inner ear, eyes and nervous system under control. Look out the windshield and find somewhere fairly stable on the horizon in the distance. This could be a mountain, a tree, a building, or just a point in an empty space. Focus all your attention on that spot without losing sight of it, despite the bumps, curves and climbs. Resist the temptation to look through the side window, stare at the front windshield only.
If you are driving the vehicle, remember to pay attention to the road and the cars around you, as well as the horizon in front of you
Step 3. Keep the environment cool
If the microclimate inside the cabin is cool and well ventilated, the symptoms of motion sickness such as sweating and nausea are less severe. If you can, roll the window down a bit to create a gentle breeze. Alternatively, turn on the fan or air conditioner. Direct the vents towards your face for maximum benefit.
Air circulation also helps reduce food odors in the car which could make symptoms worse
Step 4. Try to stabilize the head
Sometimes it is not easy to keep the attention on a single point when the car jolts. To stabilize it, make sure your head is stationary by holding it snug against the seat's headrest. For this purpose, a neck pillow can be useful which, by keeping the head stable, allows you to keep your gaze fixed.
Step 5. Take frequent breaks
Get out of the cockpit and stretch your legs. Sit on a bench or under a tree and take deep breaths through your mouth to relax. This is especially important during very long journeys on winding roads. Frequent breaks not only allow you to relieve symptoms, but also allow the driver to rest from time to time. Resume the journey as you feel refreshed and the malaise has passed.
Step 6. Try to sleep
Sleep works wonders when you are a passenger and suffer from motion sickness. In this way the brain is not aware of the discrepancy of the sensory signals sent by the eyes and the rest of the body, precisely because the eyes are closed. Many people find this to be the best way to spend the time of a long drive without getting sick.
If you're having trouble falling asleep in your car, consider taking a sleep-inducing drug like Benadryl. If you've opted for this option, however, make sure you don't have to drive part of the way
Step 7. Focus on something else
Distractions are perfect for limiting motion sickness, especially in children and those who have to travel in the back seat. Take your mind off the nausea and discomfort by listening to music, singing or playing the "license plate game" with other passengers.
Step 8. Put away your books, cell phones and electronic devices
Motion sickness gets worse when you visually focus on an object inside the car instead of outside. Starting a book, a game on a mobile phone, reading on an ebook device or on a tablet only increases the discrepancy between the signals perceived by the eyes and those received by the rest of the body. To prevent this, make sure that everything you focus your eyes on is on the outside of the car, on the horizon in front of you.
- There are many people who feel nauseous when reading in the car - prevent this from happening to you too!
- Audio books, car stereos and music CDs are perfect for entertaining you while traveling without triggering motion sickness.
Step 9. Breathe deeply
Anxiety and nervousness increase motion sickness. Relaxation techniques, such as slow, mindful breathing, help reduce heart rate and relax the body by decreasing the risk of experiencing motion sickness symptoms.
Step 10. Avoid roads with bumpy asphalt
If the ride is smooth and enjoyable, there is less chance of getting sick. For this purpose you should choose the ring roads and the expressways, instead of crossing the cities where there are frequent stops and departures; also you should make sure that the shock absorbers are in good condition. Be careful and plan your trip to avoid mountain roads and steep climbs bypassing hilly regions. Try to drive on flat roads as far as possible.
Get on the road avoiding rush hours so you don't get stuck in slow moving queues
Step 11. Purchase specific motion sickness wristbands
These devices apply light but steady pressure to the forearm, approximately 2-3 cm from the wrist. The pressure appears to be able to relieve the nausea caused by motion sickness. Although not scientifically proven, it is a relatively inexpensive solution with no side effects. You can give it a try and see if the wristbands work for you.
If you can't get them, you can apply gentle pressure on the forearm (between the two tendons) about 3cm from the wrist
Step 12. Evaluate different means of transportation
Some individuals who suffer from motion sickness typically also have problems with other types of vehicles, such as trains, buses, and planes. Other people, however, are only sick in cars and in this case trains, buses and planes can become valid alternatives. Generally they are better solutions, because these vehicles move more smoothly and steadily, less confusing the eyes and at the same time allowing you to remain seated in a slightly higher position.
- Find the most stable seat possible when choosing these alternative means of transportation. Make sure it faces the same direction of travel (avoid seats positioned in the opposite direction); sit in the front rows when on the train or bus and choose seats at the wings when traveling by plane. All this allows you to feel less jolts.
- If you have to travel short distances, consider walking or cycling to avoid the car altogether.
Method 2 of 3: Change Your Diet
Step 1. Avoid consuming fatty meals and drinking alcohol before travel
Greasy foods make you more susceptible to nausea. Alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, leave a hangover, which in turn worsens motion sickness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and sweating. If you know that you need to travel by car soon, avoid high-fat meals and alcohol to avoid getting sick on the road.
Step 2. Eat light but frequent meals
If you eat a lot on one occasion, you will feel nauseous. If you have to travel by car, especially for a long time, limit yourself to small, light, healthy and low-fat meals, which you can eat more often. A high-protein, low-fat meal is your best bet for preventing motion sickness.
For example, don't eat a burger while traveling, but choose a salad with grilled chicken. Avoid milk shakes, instead drink a smoothie with yogurt and protein powder
Step 3. Have some starchy snacks available
These bland, neutral-tasting snacks can stabilize an "upside-down" stomach. Toast, crackers, and pretzels absorb digestive juices and soothe the stomach. They are also perfect for mitigating hunger pangs without causing indigestion.
These are foods that do not have a strong smell, so they are the best solution, as the pungent flavors and aromas can increase motion sickness
Step 4. Stay hydrated
Dehydration only makes the situation worse. Remember to drink plenty of water before and during the trip to avoid nausea. While water is the best way to get the hydration you need, flavored drinks can help distract you from feeling nauseous or dizzy. Feel free to indulge in a caffeine-free soda, such as a ginger ale.
Protein-rich sodas have been shown to reduce nausea
Step 5. Consume a lot of ginger
This plant is able to mitigate the symptoms of motion sickness and other types of motion sickness. You can eat (or drink) this root in many ways. There are ginger lollipops, balsamic candies, you can prepare an herbal tea, a drink, you can buy supplements in pills, pieces of candied ginger or cook cookies. All these products help the stomach to regain balance. Just check that they are made with real ginger and that they do not contain only the flavor.
Ask your doctor if ginger is safe for you, as it may interfere with some medications
Step 6. Have a supply of mints and chewing gum on hand
Mint, like ginger, is a natural remedy for controlling nausea. Candy and chewing gum also help produce more saliva, thereby neutralizing stomach acid. Furthermore, these flavors also represent a distraction when you can't think of anything other than your malaise. Suck on a peppermint candy or chew on gum with the same flavor to calm your stomach and focus on something else.
Method 3 of 3: Using Medical Treatments
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about the problem
Many cases of motion sickness can be managed with lifestyle changes and home remedies. However, motion sickness can interfere with work or daily occupations. If so, you should discuss this with your doctor to consider possible professional solutions such as over-the-counter or prescription medications.
- You should see your doctor if you or your child experience symptoms even after getting out of the car, if you have a severe headache, hearing, vision and walking difficulties. All this points to a more serious problem than simple motion sickness.
- Susceptibility to motion sickness can be related to age, race, sex, hormonal factors, sensory diseases and migraines. Ask your doctor if you are at a high risk of suffering from motion sickness.
Step 2. Take an antihistamine 30-60 minutes before traveling
There are over-the-counter and prescription medications that are effective against this disorder. Most of these contain dimenhydrate or meclizine. Among the best known drugs are Xamamina and Travelgum. Some products are available in the form of patches and are particularly useful because they release the active ingredient gradually. Antihistamines can prevent nausea triggered by motion sickness by numbing the motion sensors found in the inner ear. For them to take effect, you need to take them 30-60 minutes before your trip.
Read the medicine leaflet to know the side effects (especially if you have to drive) and ask your doctor for information to be sure. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and interfere with driving skills
Step 3. Ask your doctor to prescribe scopolamine
It is safe for adults only, so never give it to children. It is sold by prescription only, in the form of a patch that must be applied behind the ear. You will need to wear it 4 hours before the trip. Although the side effects can be serious (dry mouth and blurred vision), it is very effective in fighting the nausea of motion sickness. Check with your doctor to see if this is a good solution for you.
Advice
- You can help children not suffer from car sickness by placing them in a raised seat that allows them to look outside and involving them in games that oblige them to observe the view. Don't let them watch a movie, or they might feel nauseous.
- People who suffer from migraines, pregnant women and children between 2 and 12 years of age are the individuals who experience motion sickness most frequently. In many cases it is a temporary ailment that eventually subsides.
- Make sure there are many distractions in the car, but none of them involve reading or watching a screen. Instead, get plenty of music, audiobooks, and safe games that you can play in the car with friends.
- The car should be cool and well ventilated.
- Make sure that the tires and shock absorbers of the car are in good condition so that the journey will be as comfortable as possible.
- During the journey, make stops to walk for about a minute. Motion sickness usually decreases as soon as you are on "dry land".
- If you suffer from car sickness often, bring bags to throw up in in case you can't stop the car in time.
- Chew a piece of gum, spit it out, and take another one with a different flavor when it loses its aroma, otherwise this will make the nausea worse.
Warnings
- Doctors have always argued that traveling on an empty stomach helped relieve motion sickness. Now it has been discovered that this is not true: it is appropriate to feel full - but not too full or heavy. It is best to have small meals and light snacks.
- Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medications or herbal remedies for motion sickness. Antihistamines, ginger, and mint are not safe for all individuals. Always talk to your doctor before taking any products.
