Do you know someone who falls sick or vomits every time they travel? Or are you that person? If so, don’t worry—after reading this guide, your travel experiences or those of your loved ones won’t be ruined by motion sickness again.
In this post, we’ll cover:
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What is motion sickness?
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Why does it happen?
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How to avoid motion sickness naturally?
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Is it curable?
What Is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness refers to the uncomfortable feeling you get when there’s a mismatch between what your eyes see and what your body feels during movement—like when you’re in a car, plane, train, or boat.
It can even happen while watching fast-moving visuals, video games, or theme park rides.
Symptoms of Motion Sickness
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Nausea and vomiting
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Headache
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Restlessness and fatigue
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Cold, sweaty hands
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Loss of appetite
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Pale or white skin
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Low energy levels
People experiencing motion sickness often dread traveling and cannot enjoy trips. Some even avoid eating—even their favorite foods—due to the nausea.
Is Motion Sickness Dangerous?
Although motion sickness is not life-threatening, it can be severely uncomfortable. It doesn’t cause permanent damage but can ruin the experience of travel entirely.
Who Is More Prone to Motion Sickness?
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Children aged 6–12
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Pregnant women
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People with migraine disorders
6 YEARS TO 12 YEARS, PREGNANT FEMALES, MIGRANE PATEINT
Causes Behind Motion Sickness
Why does motion sickness occur?
To understand this there is a very simple concept of the body. Let us understand it and from this we will also know how to stop it.
There is only one reason for motion sickness, when there is an imbalance between your eyes and the organs that maintain balance in your body.
How does this happen?
The organ that maintains balance in our body is “middle ear”. So, when middle ear gets some other sensation and eyes get some other sensation, and both of them mismatch, and brain gets wrong information, it gets confused and motion sickness occurs.
Nausea starts stimulating the vomiting receptors. And the patient starts vomiting.
How did this mismatch happen?
What are the eyes seeing? They are sitting in a close car, so according to the eyes that is a stationary thing and the eyes are looking at it.
And do the ears feel that it is continuously moving, it is shaking, it is taking a curve. So, the ear gets some other receptor and the eye gets some other, there will be an imbalance of both, the brain will get confused, he will start feeling nauseous and vomiting.
Because he felt that there is something wrong with the body and we have to throw it out.
6 Natural Ways to Reduce Motion Sickness
How to cure motion sickness? There are many methods for this, we will know them today.
The reason for motion sickness is that everything in the eyes is static and everything in the ears seems to be moving, that is why motion sickness occurs.
The very basic concept is that all this sensation from the ears is moving, we need to reduce it and show the eyes only what is actually happening.
How do we do this? Let us know,
1. Reduce Body Movement
Minimize body motion to reduce signals to the inner ear:
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In a car: Sit in the front seat, wear a seatbelt, and keep your head steady.
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In a train: Choose a window seat and face forward.
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In a flight: Choose a seat over the wings for less turbulence.
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In a boat: Sit in the middle, where movement is minimal.
2. Focus on the Horizon
Looking straight ahead at a fixed point like the horizon helps your eyes and ears align.
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Avoid looking at nearby fast-moving vehicles.
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Don’t look sideways out of windows.
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Keep your gaze steady on the far distance.
3. Prefer Open Windows
Avoid closed, air-conditioned vehicles. Fresh air reduces nausea and provides relief. Travel with windows open when possible.
4. Manage Stress
Anxiety worsens motion sickness. Many sufferers feel sick just thinking about travel. Distract yourself by:
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Chatting with fellow travelers
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Listening to music (not via headphones)
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Practicing deep breathing
5. Use Ginger
Ginger is a natural anti-nausea remedy. Chew on raw ginger, ginger candy, or drink ginger tea. It contains antiemetic compounds that calm your stomach and reduce vomiting.
6. Try Acupressure (P6 Point)
Apply pressure to the P6 acupressure point on your wrist:
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Place 3 fingers from the wrist crease toward your hand.
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Press between the two tendons in the center.
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Massage in circular motions for 3–4 minutes.
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Repeat as needed.
7. Anti motion sickness bands.
You yourself applied pressure to P6 point. But anti motion bands (wrist bands) are available in the market.
What are these wrist bands made of? You wear the band on your wrist, after that it keeps applying pressure on the same point and this reduces your chances of nausea and vomiting on the way.
What Not to do to Reduce Motion Sickness?
It is very important to know what you should not do while travelling.
1. Reading book/ phone/ other devices
If eyes get a faint sensation, something is stuck or you are in a close room then you will have more motion sickness.
That is why you should never travel, use phone, or use any busy electronic device. This should not be done at any cost.
2. Having fatty food
The heavier the meal you eat, the more time it will take to go down the stomach. And the more you will feel vomiting. Do not eat heavy or fatty meals. You can eat small quantities of food in small pieces.
3. Having alcohol
Do not consume alcohol at all. Because alcohol makes you feel nauseous and vomit, so do not consume it at all.
If you smoke, try to smoke less during travel.
4. Seeing fast moving objects
You do not have to see fast moving objects with your eyes, like a fast vehicle passing by, train or anything that is going near you.
Medical Treatments for Motion Sickness
If natural methods don’t work, consult a doctor. Allopathic medicines can effectively prevent motion sickness with minor side effects like drowsiness. Always take the medication 30–60 minutes before traveling.
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Different doses are available for children, pregnant women, and adults.
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Seek professional advice if symptoms persist.
What About Pilots?
Pilots can’t afford to fall asleep or vomit while flying. They undergo motion sickness desensitization therapy, which trains the body to adapt to motion and eliminate symptoms.
This therapy includes:
1. Binary Chair Training
A chair rotates the head in various directions to simulate motion sickness and build tolerance.
2. Physical Exercises
Rotating, bending, and head movements during physical workouts gradually train the body.
3. Yoga
Relaxation techniques and breathing exercises help calm the nervous system and enhance recovery.
Final Words
Motion sickness can make travel miserable, but it’s manageable with the right techniques. Whether you’re using natural methods like ginger and acupressure, or seeking medical solutions, the key is preparation.
Travel should be enjoyable—not dreadful. So next time you hit the road, sea, or sky, be ready to beat motion sickness and enjoy the journey.