How to Prepare Yourself for Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness is a common problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Whether you're on a car journey, a flight, a boat, or even a theme park ride, the sensation of queasiness, dizziness, and nausea can quickly ruin your experience. While it doesn't pose a serious health risk for most, motion sickness can be extremely uncomfortable and disruptive. Fortunately, with the right strategies, preparation, and medicine for motion sickness, you can significantly reduce or even prevent symptoms. In this guide, we’ll explore what causes motion sickness, how you can prepare before travelling, and what treatments, both natural and medicinal, are available to help you travel more comfortably.

Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness, occurs when there is a mismatch between what your eyes see, what your inner ear senses, and what your body feels. For instance, if you’re reading a book in the backseat of a car, your eyes are focused on a still object, while your inner ear and body feel the movement of the car. This sensory conflict confuses the brain, leading to symptoms such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Pale complexion

Anyone can experience motion sickness, but certain factors make some individuals more susceptible:

• Children aged 2–12
• Pregnant individuals
• People prone to migraines
• Women, particularly during menstruation
• Those with a history of inner ear problems
• Individuals with anxiety related to travel

If you're in a high-risk group or have previously experienced motion sickness, preparation is key and medicine for motion sickness may be part of your toolkit.

1. Plan Your Position Wisely

Where you sit can greatly influence whether you experience motion sickness. Choose a spot where motion is least felt:

• Car: Sit in the front passenger seat and look ahead.
• Plane: Choose a seat over the wings where movement is most stable.
• Boat: Stay in the centre of the vessel, preferably on the lower deck.
• Train: Sit facing forward by a window.

Keeping your head still and your gaze on a stable horizon can help reduce the disconnection between your senses.

2. Avoid Heavy Meals Before Travel

Eating a greasy or heavy meal before travelling can make you more prone to nausea. Instead, eat a light, balanced meal 1 to 2 hours before departure. Avoid alcohol, spicy food, and foods with strong odours, as they may trigger nausea. It’s also a good idea to keep snacks such as crackers, apples, or ginger biscuits on hand.

3. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can worsen symptoms of motion sickness. Drink plenty of water before and during your journey. Avoid caffeine and sugary fizzy drinks, as these may aggravate nausea or dehydration.

4. Keep the Air Flowing

Stuffy environments can make motion sickness worse. Ensure good ventilation while travelling, open a window, use air-conditioning, or aim an air vent towards your face. Cool, fresh air helps regulate your internal temperature and ease nausea.

5. Avoid Reading or Screens

Reading, looking at your phone, or focusing on digital screens while in motion is one of the most common triggers of motion sickness. Instead, listen to music, an audiobook, or a podcast to keep your mind engaged without creating a sensory conflict.

While medicine for motion sickness is often effective, many prefer to start with natural or home remedies. Here are a few options you can try:

1. Ginger

Ginger is one of the most widely recommended natural remedies for nausea. It may help settle your stomach before and during travel.

How to use:

• Drink ginger tea
• Eat ginger biscuits or crystallised ginger
• Take ginger supplements (capsules or tablets)

2. Peppermint

Peppermint has calming effects on the stomach muscles and can help reduce nausea.

How to use:

• Sip peppermint tea
• Use peppermint essential oil on your temples or wrists
• Suck on peppermint sweets

3. Acupressure Bands

Acupressure wristbands (often called sea bands) apply pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on your inner wrist, which may reduce nausea. These are widely used for both travel sickness and morning sickness.

4. Aromatherapy

Certain essential oils, such as lavender and lemon, may provide relief from nausea through calming and uplifting scents. Use a travel-sized diffuser or apply a small amount to a tissue and inhale.

When natural methods aren’t enough, medicine for motion sickness is often the most reliable option. These medications work in different ways, such as calming the inner ear, blocking nausea signals, or sedating the nervous system.

Some antihistamines are effective for treating motion sickness by blocking the effects of histamine in the brain and reducing activity in the inner ear.

Common options include:

• Cinnarizine (Stugeron): Often taken 2 hours before travel, suitable for longer trips.
• Promethazine: A more sedative antihistamine; may cause drowsiness.
• Cyclizine: Another popular choice, less sedating than promethazine.

These medicines for motion sickness are available over the counter but should be taken under guidance if you have underlying health conditions.

This is one of the most effective medicines for motion sickness. It works by blocking nerve signals to the brain's vomiting centre.
Forms:

Oral tablets

• Transdermal patches (placed behind the ear 4–6 hours before travel)
• Side effects may include dry mouth, blurred vision, or drowsiness. It’s not suitable for everyone. Consult a pharmacist or doctor before use.

If you have severe or frequent motion sickness, a doctor might prescribe stronger medicine for motion sickness, such as:

• Diazepam (a sedative, rarely used due to dependency risk)
• Metoclopramide (an anti-nausea medicine used in severe cases)
• These are typically reserved for extreme situations, such as long boat journeys or severe flight anxiety.

In addition to medicine for motion sickness and natural remedies, these simple habits can help make your journey smoother:

• Take regular breaks: On road trips, stop every hour or so to walk around and get fresh air.
• Use distractions: Gentle music or deep breathing can shift your focus away from feelings of nausea.
• Don’t travel on an empty stomach: Small, regular snacks can help stabilise your blood sugar and ease symptoms.
• Lie back if needed: Reclining slightly and closing your eyes may reduce sensory conflict.
• Sleep during travel: If you can sleep, do it since it can help bypass motion sickness entirely.

Most cases of motion sickness are mild and manageable, but seek medical help if:

• You’re vomiting repeatedly and unable to keep fluids down
• You feel faint, disoriented, or dehydrated
• Over-the-counter medicine for motion sickness is not working
• You experience motion sickness even when you're not travelling (possibly a sign of an inner ear condition)

A doctor or travel clinic can offer personalised guidance, run any necessary tests, and prescribe appropriate medicine for motion sickness based on your health history.

Motion sickness can ruin holidays, commutes, or any type of travel, but it does not necessarily have to. With the right combination of preparation, natural methods, and the right medicine for motion sickness, you can minimise your symptoms or eliminate them altogether. If you are flying internationally, sailing, or driving, you can be prepared with the appropriate treatments beforehand. Knowing your trigger mechanisms and employing tried-and-tested measures, you can ensure that your journey is comfortable and free of nausea. And keep in mind that if your symptoms are severe or ongoing, don’t be afraid to seek advice from a healthcare professional.