Feeling sick in a vehicle is certainly unpleasant. It can be caused by a variety of factors, but fortunately, it can often be managed or even prevented. Some people get motion sickness much easier than others.
Therefore, this article will help you understand what to do when you get sick and how to prevent it. Keep in mind you can do several things to ensure you don’t start feeling sick.
If you’ve been wondering what causes motion sickness, how to prevent it, and why some people are more prone to it than others—you’re in the right place.
The Causes of Motion Sickness
Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness, is a condition triggered by a sensory mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear senses. Your inner ear’s vestibular system detects motion and maintains balance. When you’re in a moving vehicle—such as a car, plane, boat, or train—your body may be still, but your inner ear senses movement. If your eyes focus on something stationary, like a book or phone screen, this conflict can lead to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.
Motion sickness happens because of a sensory mismatch — when your inner ear, eyes, and body send conflicting signals to your brain about movement. This mismatch confuses your brain and triggers nausea, dizziness, or vomiting. Other factors like anxiety, strong odors, poor ventilation, noises, reading while moving, actually being sick, turbulence in the vehicle, stomach aches, and more can worsen the symptoms. Motion sickness is most common in children, pregnant women, and people with a history of migraines, but it can affect anyone depending on the situation.
You’re probably here because you’ve already experienced motion sickness. Whether it’s in a vehicle or from using electronic devices, you might start feeling symptoms like the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Cold sweats
- Fatigue
- Headache
Motion sickness is not dangerous enough to cause disease or death. It primarily leads to discomfort and nausea but typically once the motion stops, or a few minutes later.
Why Are Some People More Prone to Motion Sickness?
Not everyone experiences motion sickness to the same degree, and some seem immune. Several factors influence susceptibility:
- Age: Children aged 2–12 are more prone due to their developing vestibular systems. Symptoms often lessen with age, but some adults remain susceptible.
- Gender: Women are more likely to experience motion sickness.
- Genetics: A family history of motion sickness increases your likelihood of experiencing it.
- Medical Conditions: Migraines, inner ear disorders, or a history of vertigo can heighten sensitivity.
- Environment: Reading, using devices, or sitting in enclosed spaces with limited visibility (e.g., the back seat of a car) can trigger symptoms.
Understanding these factors can help you identify your risk and take preventive measures.
How to Prevent Motion Sickness
Overcoming Motion Sickness: Two Of My Personal Travel Stories
One memorable experience with motion sickness occurred during a family trip to the library. I was already feeling unwell before we left our condo. As we prepared to leave, I warned my mom that I felt extremely car sick and might vomit. Unfortunately, without further warning, I vomited my breakfast all over the van floor. My family quickly cleaned up the mess and continued to the library, while I stayed home to recover. Later, my brother pointed out that I should have used a bag to manage the situation. This experience highlighted the importance of being prepared for motion sickness during car travel.
Another vivid memory is from my first airplane ride at eight years old. It was an exciting adventure in a small five-seater plane, where I had the privilege of sitting in the co-pilot’s seat. The takeoff was smooth, and I was captivated by the stunning views of snow-covered landscapes, trees, buildings, and canyons below. However, the flight took a turn when turbulence began. Thankfully, the pilot had informed us about the emergency bags behind our seats before takeoff. As I started feeling plane sick, I quickly grabbed a bag and, to my dismay, vomited ten times during the flight. I asked the pilot if we could land soon, and he safely brought us back to the airport. This thrilling yet challenging experience taught me that smaller planes experience more turbulence than larger commercial flights. A few minutes after we landed I felt great. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn how to prevent motion sickness when inside the plane except for asking for it to be stopped, but it remains one of my favorite motion sickness experience.
Preventing motion sickness is often easier than treating it once symptoms start. Here are evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk:
1. Choose the Right Seat
Where you sit in a vehicle can significantly impact your likelihood of feeling sick:
- Cars: Sit in the front seat or drive if possible. Looking out the front windshield aligns your visual input with the motion your body senses.
- Planes: Choose a seat over the wings, where turbulence is less pronounced.
- Boats: Stay near the center of the vessel and focus on the horizon.
- Trains: Try a forward-facing seat near a window.
2. Focus on the Horizon, or Look Out the Front Windshield
Looking at a fixed point in the distance, like the horizon or a distant landmark, helps synchronize your visual and vestibular systems. Avoid reading, texting, or watching videos, as these activities exacerbate the sensory mismatch.
3. Get Fresh Air
Poor ventilation can worsen nausea. Open a window, use air vents, or step outside for fresh air when possible. Avoid strong odors like food, perfume, or fuel, which can trigger symptoms.
4. Eat Light and Drink Water
Heavy or greasy meals can upset your stomach, making motion sickness worse. Eat light snacks like crackers or ginger candies. Stay hydrated with water, as other substances can worsen the sickness.
5. Use Ginger or Peppermint
Natural remedies like ginger (in candies, or tea) and peppermint (in essential oils or the leaves themselves) have anti-nausea properties. Studies suggest ginger can reduce motion sickness symptoms for some people which hopefully includes you.
6. Try Pressing or Firmly Grabbing A Limb
Grabbing or pressing your wrist, hand, arm, or even legs can help distract your brain from the motion sickness and direct it to where the pressure is being applied.
7. Listen to Enjoyable Music
Listening to your favorite music can sometimes help with car sickness. It can lift your mood and serve as a positive distraction from the discomfort.
8. Avoid Reading While Moving
Reading in a moving vehicle is one of the most common triggers for motion sickness. To help prevent symptoms, it’s best to avoid books, phones, or screens while in motion.
9. Watch Something You Enjoy (With Caution)
Watching a lighthearted show or cartoon (as a passenger) can help pass the time and sometimes ease motion sickness. However, this depends on the individual — watching a screen for too long can also trigger symptoms in some people.
Managing Motion Sickness When It Strikes
If preventive measures fail and you start feeling sick, try these tips to alleviate symptoms:
- Stop the Activity: If reading or using a device, put it away and focus on the horizon.
- Breathe Slowly: Deep, controlled breathing can reduce nausea and calm your nervous system.
- Sip Cold Water: Small sips of water or a clear, fizzy drink like ginger ale can settle your stomach.
- Close Your Eyes or Nap: Reducing visual input by closing your eyes or sleeping can help reset your sensory system.
- Move to a Stable Position: If on a boat, move to the center; in a car, ask to pull over for a break.
These are some of the best tips I can offer for managing motion sickness. If none of them work for you, sometimes all you can do is stay calm, breathe deeply, and pray to God.
Conclusion
Motion sickness can turn a pleasant trip into a miserable experience, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can manage or even prevent it. By understanding its causes, choosing the best seat, using natural remedies, and knowing when to tough it out, you can travel with confidence. Whether you’re planning a road trip, cruise, or flight, these tips will help you stay comfortable and enjoy the journey.
Ready to hit the road without nausea? Try these motion sickness prevention tips on your next trip and share your experience!
