Top 9 hacks for travellers with motion sickness

By Natalie Wilson

January 27 2021 - Do you feel nauseous whilst travelling? Do you get a sickly feeling when you're in motion when you're in the car? It's possible that you may suffer from travel sickness. Since many of us are unable to travel to other countries in the current Coronavirus times we're in, we're likely resorting to more local trips with our close family in the car instead.

However, for those that suffer from travel sickness this may not be the most uplifting of experiences. The buzz of being able to leave our homes for a trip away to spend with our family can slowly phase away as soon as you take a seat in the back of the car and it starts to move. Car sickness shouldn't be a reason to stay home though so here are some great hacks and tips to avoid motion sickness.

1. Avoid fatty, greasy or spicy food

Fatty, greasy and spicy foods can already cause an upset stomach on a normal day, so having it when you're able to travel should be avoided. These types of foods can often take longer to digest in your system as they require more time to break down in your stomach. If the food's still settling in your stomach, you're likely to feel it whilst you're travelling which can make you feel unsettled.

To avoid this, try not to eat or drink too much but also don't travel on an empty stomach. Eat light and easy digestible foods that won't settle in your stomach.

2. Bring snacks with you in the car

The same way it's not a good idea to eat heavily before your car journey you should also prevent travelling on an empty stomach too. Be sure to pack snacks with you in the car that you can eat every couple of hours or so.

These shouldn't be foods that have strong odours or tastes though. Instead, try to pack bland snacks such as dry crackers that can be easily digestible and don't stir up any nauseous feelings in your stomach.

3. Ginger Ale is an ideal beverage to pack

Believe it or not, Ginger Ale is a great beverage to have whilst you're travelling. This is mainly due to the fact that ginger helps alleviate the feelings of nausea and vomiting. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and antiulcer effects which can all contribute to preventing the possibility of motion sickness occurring.

4. Opt to sit in the front seat

If you have the opportunity, ask your family if you can sit on the front seat instead of the back. Having the ability to look straight ahead and gaze into the horizon helps to regulate your equilibrium rather than have the feeling of being unstable.

If you are resorted to sitting in the back seat, encourage yourself to look out of the window and fixate on elements that help balance your sense of stability to avoid a nauseous feeling.

5. Avoid watching films or reading a book

Whilst it may seem a good idea to watch a film or read a book to distract your attention, focusing on what's in front of you will still have different motions to the movement of the car. When you feel one thing that's different to what you're actually focusing on, it can give you feelings of sickness and actually cause you to feel more unstable. As mentioned above, try to fixate on what's outside through the window instead.

6. Use wristbands designed for travel sickness

To help combat the feeling of motion sickness, businesses have created wristbands that pinpoints particular nerves that can heighten feelings of sickness. They specifically apply pressure to specific points in the body located on your inner arm that helps stimulate your nerves and interrupts the thoughts of feeling sick in your brain. They can be useful and inexpensive tools that can help with your feelings of being nauseous when you travel.

7. Utilise the fresh air outside

Make the most of being able to breathe in the fresh air and prevent yourself from feeling ‘stuffy'. When you start to become hot or have recycled air circulating around you, it can make you feel extremely uncomfortable which can heighten your feelings of nausea and cause vomiting.

Ask for the air conditioning to be put on or crack open a window that will allow you to breathe in fresh air regularly. Even if it means stopping the car in a safe place so you can walk around outside for a few minutes, it can help to ease your feelings of sickness.

8. Find alternative distractions to reading or watching a film

Whilst it's not recommended to read or watch a film, there are alternative distractions that you can try that will help to settle you. This can include talking to your family in the car and having engaging conversations, singing songs with your siblings or even listening to music and staring out of the window which can help to take your mind off how you are feeling.

9. Consider taking medication

In some cases, travel sickness is unfortunately something that you're unable to manage yourself and you'll need help in tackling it. As it's a natural reaction in the body, sometimes you need something unnatural to overcome. This is where medication and supplements - such as magnesium supplements - can help ease your travel sickness. Although they may not be the most pleasant thing to put in your mouth, they can help to curb the feelings you have.

Tackling motion sickness for easier travel

In times of not being able to utilise the outdoors often as we can, we need to cherish the moments when we're able to head outside and get fresh air into our lungs. This includes travelling with family and enjoying time with them, which we shouldn't allow car journeys and motion sickness preventing us from doing.

Consider the tips and hacks provided above and these can be a great way to ease your sick feelings when you travel. Instead, you can enjoy the trip ahead with your loved ones and look forward to your limited time outdoors.