What Else Can I Do to Prevent Motion Sickness?

Often after a few days of the motion that makes you sick, you will get used to it. Astronauts are not sick the entire time in space. Their bodies will adapt. Travelers on boats get their “Sea Legs” after a few days. That being said, there are some things you can do to minimize motion sickness.

• If you can look at the horizon, your brain will make sense of the motion and help. Sometimes it alleviates it completely. Look out the window or go above decks. Closing your eyes usually makes it worse.

• Viewing a stable object. You can’t always look out the window. If your brain can link with a stable object, it synchronizes visual with the physical.

• Sorry to say but drinking alcohol during and even the night before can make matters much worse.

• Avoid greasy and spicy foods prior to travel.

• Breads, crackers, carbs help reduce nausea.

• Don’t overeat prior to travel.

• Slowly drinking a carbonated nonalcoholic beverage helps.

• Sucking on hard candy can help. Anything minty is a bonus.

• Air on your face helps. Open a window, face a breeze, open the air vent on the plane. Aim the air conditioning vent.

• Avoid strong odors. Pungent foods, Smoke, heavy perfumes all can make nausea worse.

• Breathe deep. Picking up the breathing pace increases oxygen and often helps.

• Get it over with. Go ahead and vomit. Often that alleviates the cause.

• Reading or playing games requiring visual focus makes it worse.

• Relax. Worry will make it worse. Often the motion sickness is mental / emotional. Relaxation techniques help.

• If you can nap for 10-20 minutes that will relax your mind and often that is the cause.