Top 10 Tips for preventing motion sickness when traveling

1. Get a good night's sleep before you travel

Although a few lucky people can happily sleep while traveling, for most of us tiredness may trigger and will certainly worsen motion sickness symptoms.

2. Be prepared!

Don't leave home without a flask of water, some light snacks and your preferred remedies. Tissues and sick bags or Ziploc baggies are good to have in case of emergencies.

3. Choose your seat wisely

In any vehicle is it important to sit where you will experience the least motion, for example: in the front seat of a car, over the wing on an airplane, in a forwards facing seat in the center carriage of a train, and towards the front of a bus or coach. On a boat, you'll probably feel happiest out on deck. When booking a cruise, choose a cabin amidships, on one of the lower decks.

4. Fresh air is your friend

Stay as close as you can to a source of fresh air, be it an open window or an air vent. Try to avoid strong smells and odors, such as food and gasoline, which can rapidly trigger nausea.

5. Sit back and relax

Stress and anxiety will always make you feel worse. Try to leave any troubles and worries at home (or promise yourself you'll deal with them once you arrive) and don't stress about the possibility of getting motion sick - just thinking about it can make some people ill.

6. Keep your eyes on a fixed point

Sailors keep their eyes on the horizon, drivers watch the road ahead... Keeping your eyes on something gives your brain a reference point from which it can make sense of the movement. Try, too, to keep your head as still as possible.

7. Distract yourself

Listening to music, doing mental math or having a conversation with a friend will help to distract your brain, which will in turn help to suppress the nausea and vomiting reflex. Don't read, play computer games or knit, as anything that requires close vision tends to trigger motion sickness fast.

8. Keep well hydrated and eat lightly

Dehydration is a definite trigger for motion sickness, so carry a flask of water or herbal tea (avoid tea, coffee and alcohol) and sip from it regularly. Traveling on an empty stomach can make you nauseous so eat regular snacks, such as crackers, dry bread or a green apple. Avoid traveling on a very full stomach, and steer clear of anything spicy, fatty or very sweet. Chewing and sucking both work to prevent nausea - try peppermint gum, hard candy, or suck on a slice of lemon.

9. Discuss medication with your doctor

Medications such as Bonine, Dramamine and Transderm-Scop can be very effective against motion sickness. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise which medication is best for you. Do consider trying out your medication before you travel, in order to discover what - if any - side effects you can expect.

10. Don't travel with a hangover

Hangovers are never fun... but when you're traveling they're a nightmare! Drink lots of water, try to sleep, and make a solemn promise that you will never, ever to do this to yourself again!

See also:

• Read more about the different Types of Motion Sickness, with specific suggestions for each type.

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