Managing travel sickness: simple steps that really work

Feeling queasy on a trip ruins everything. Motion sickness happens when your inner ear, eyes and brain send mixed signals. The good news: you can cut symptoms a lot with a few straightforward moves. Below are practical, easy-to-use tips — before you travel, during the trip, and when you need medicine.

Quick practical fixes (before and during travel)

Plan your seat. In cars, sit in the front seat. On buses, sit near the front. On planes, choose a seat over the wing. On boats, stay midship where the motion is gentler. These spots reduce the amount your body senses movement.

Time your food and drinks. Eat a light, bland snack before travel. Avoid heavy, greasy meals and alcohol. Stay hydrated, but sip slowly — gulping can trigger nausea.

Look at the horizon. Focusing on a stable point reduces the sensory mismatch that causes queasiness. Avoid reading or staring at screens for long stretches.

Use fresh air and temperature control. Open a vent or get air on your face. Cool air and a cool cloth on your neck can calm nausea fast.

Try pressure and distraction tools. Acupressure wristbands press the P6 point on your inner wrist and help many people. Chewing gum, listening to music, or chatting keeps your mind off the motion.

Move regularly. On long car or plane rides take short walks when safe. On a boat, sit or lie down facing forward to steady your balance.

Medicines, supplements, and when to see a doctor

Over-the-counter options like meclizine or dimenhydrinate help many people if taken before travel (follow package directions). A scopolamine patch behind the ear works well for multi-day trips; it’s applied a few hours before travel. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or treating a child — some meds aren’t suitable for everyone.

Ginger and peppermint can reduce nausea for some people. Try ginger candy, tea, or capsules. They’re low-risk but check with your doctor if you’re on blood thinners or other meds.

When to see a doctor: if nausea keeps you from keeping fluids down, you faint, have severe stomach pain, or notice blood in vomit, get medical help. Also talk to a clinician before travel if you take regular medications, have heart disease, or are prone to severe motion sickness.

Tip: test your approach on a short trip first. Combine a seat choice, a timing plan for meds or ginger, and a wristband. If that combo works, scale it up for longer journeys.

If you want more tailored advice or have persistent problems, contact HeyDoctor.com. We can point you to reliable resources and help decide what’s safe for you or your child.