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From bumpy buses to cruise ship cabins, motion sickness can make for a very unpleasant journey. Here’s how to prevent and treat motion sickness when traveling.
Photo © Getty Images / piola666
Whether on a bus ride on a twisty mountain road or a boat that rocks a bit too much, motion sickness is an unfortunate side effect of travel. With symptoms ranging from dizziness and headache to actual vomiting, it’s worth knowing what causes it and how to deal with it. Here’s what you need to know before heading out on your next adventure.
- What causes motion sickness?
- How to prevent motion sickness
- Motion sickness remedies
- How to stop motion sickness after it starts
What causes motion sickness?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, motion sickness (also known as travel sickness) is a condition that occurs when your body, eyes, and inner ear send conflicting messages to the brain. This most often happens when your body is still but is being moved around by a boat, car, bus, or some other vehicle.
Seasickness on boats and cruise ships
Cruise ship motion sickness is very common, particularly when the vessel is battling rough waters. On small and mid-size cruise ships, which typically have stabilizers, I’ve often gotten only a headache, but on very small boats (like scuba diving boats speeding out to far-out dive spots), I’ve been ill and even vomited several times.
Motion sickness in cars and on buses and trains
Motion sickness can hit anytime you’re moving, be it on a car, bus, or train, but especially on winding roads. It’s helpful to have a window seat vs a middle or aisle seat.
Airplane motion sickness
Airsickness is most common when turbulence is moderate to severe, but for some travelers (myself included), it’s also a threat during smooth take-offs and landings. I’ve found it helpful to put away my book or screen, lay back, and close my eyes to avoid getting queasy.
How to prevent motion sickness
Knowing how to avoid motion sickness can save you a lot of headaches (quite literally) and hassle. Here’s how to not get seasick, carsick, or otherwise motion-sick in the first place.
Choose your seat wisely
- On a boat: A middle seat on the upper deck is best.
- On a cruise: It’s not just about choosing between the front or back of the ship – you also need to consider the level. The best spot on a cruise ship for motion sickness is toward the front or middle, on a lower level.
- On a plane: The best seat on a plane for motion sickness is in the wing section.
- In the car: The front passenger seat is the best, followed by rear window seats.
- On a bus or van: Window seats toward the front or middle are best. Avoid the back, which can be bumpier.
- On a train: In addition to finding a window seat, ensure that it’s forward-facing, as facing backward can be more problematic.
Other strategies for avoiding motion sickness
Erin Carey ran her PR firm, Roam Generation, from her boat, sailing more than 5,000 nautical miles over four years. To prevent motion sickness, she suggests:
- Avoiding coffee before rough passages
- Avoiding alcohol the night before
- Taking motion sickness medication an hour before departure so it has time to set in
- Avoiding reading or looking at screens
Heading off on an adventure? Find out how travel insurance can cover lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, trip cancellation, or other mishaps.
Motion sickness remedies
In addition to being smart about your seat, various remedies exist to help prevent and treat motion sickness. I chatted with Dr. Cristián Franco, the on-board physician with the expedition cruise company, Adventure Canada, about some popular motion sickness remedies. Here’s what he had to say. (Note: always consult with your own physician before taking any medications.)
Over-the-counter motion sickness medication
- Pro: OTC motion sickness tablets like Dramamine are affordable, easy to find, and effective.
- Con: Dramamine can make you sleepy.
Prescription medications
- Pro: Some prescription meds like Meclizine work well and are less likely to cause sleepiness.
- Con: Prescription medication can be more expensive and harder to secure.
Patches for motion sickness
- Pro: Behind-the-ear patches for motion sickness can be highly effective.
- Con: They may have multiple side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision.
Motion sickness wristbands
Do motion sickness bands work? Yes, they often can, but only when applied properly.
- Pro: An accupressure wrist band can be helpful for some travelers. These bands are affordable and widely available.
- Con: They are often applied to the wrong spot, rendering them ineffective. To find the correct pressure point, Dr. Franco suggests laying three fingers across the inside of your wrist and applying the wrist band just below.
Motion sickness glasses
Motion sickness glasses are googly-eyed frames with holes on each side to protect peripheral vision from becoming sensitive to motion (which is often what brings about the motion sickness). Do they work? According to the Cleveland Clinic, there’s no firm evidence of this, but some people believe they do. This could merely be the placebo effect, but a positive effect, nonetheless.
- Pro: They are cheap, easily available, and work for some people.
- Con: There is no documented evidence of their effectiveness, and they can be uncomfortable.
Natural remedies for motion sickness
According to Dr. Franco, there are several natural ways to help prevent and minimize the effects of motion sickness.
- Fresh air: If you’re able to (for instance, you’re on a large boat), stepping outside can help. If you’re inside a car or bus, opening a window has a similar effect.
- Look off to the horizon: Instead of reading a book or looking at a screen, refocus your gaze on a stationary object in the distance or the horizon.
- Lie back and close your eyes: If you have the option, lie down, or at least lay your seat down a bit.
- Limit water: Dr. Franco says to not drink too much water because if your stomach is full of liquid, it will move around a lot. Instead, he suggests taking small sips.
- Eat sparingly: Because you may not know how your body will react, avoid large meals which you might then vomit up. Having been sick on many rocky dive trips, I can attest to the benefit of having an empty stomach.
How to stop motion sickness after it starts
In addition to the above strategies, Dr. Franco suggested some natural ways to help you feel better if you’re already motion sick.
- Ginger ale: While ginger ale isn’t a cure-all for everyone, it does help some people suffering from motion sickness.
- Green apples and plain crackers: Eating these can help settle your stomach.
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