Motion sickness, also known as seasickness, air sickness, car sickness, and kinetosis, is a common ailment for certain people, both during transportation and amusement rides.
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Disclaimer: This article gives general advice on motion sickness, not intended to replace professional medical advice. |
Understand
[edit]Motion sickness is caused by a mismatch between senses; in particular between vision and the sense of balance.
Vulnerability to motion sickness varies between individuals. While infants tend to be immune, children aged 2 to 12 are the most sensitive (see travelling with children), and elderly people tend to be less affected.
Prevention
[edit]Some medication that prevents motion sickness can be bought without prescription, and others, such as scopalamine patches, normally requires a prescription. Get it before the journey, if you or your companions are vulnerable or (for water transport) the weather forecast is bad. Take the medicine before you need it, since it may take well over an hour before it takes effect, and it is easier to prevent the sickness than to cure it. Such medication usually induces drowsiness, so it is a good idea to sleep once you feel drowsy.
Avoid excessive eating and alcoholic beverages before the journey. Get good sleep before leaving; jet lag can aggravate motion sickness. Have moderate amounts of water and food during the journey.
Riskier situations
[edit]Travelling at night, in severe weather (including fog) or in a confined space, tends to be worse than travelling in broad light with the outdoor environment well visible. A winding, tree-filled mountain road can be beautiful, but with limited forward vision, it can also set off motion sickness.
Being a passenger, rather than the driver of a vehicle, is usually worse. Sitting in the back seat is worse than sitting in the front seat. If you need to be in the back seat, try sitting in the middle and looking straight out the front windshield, or where you will have the clearest view of what's ahead of you (not passing beside you).
Reading, scrolling on your phone, and other activities where you focus your eyes on something close to you, can make it worse. Let someone else manage the map, while you keep your head up and facing forward.
Some vehicles are worse than others. Buses with seats facing inwards instead of forwards may also cause motion sickness. Avoid vehicles (like buses) with a high center of gravity, stiff suspensions, and bouncy rides. Some people are prone to getting motion sickness in battery electric vehicles (except when they are driving).
Coping techniques
[edit]Assuming you're not the driver, lying down with closed eyes (or, better yet, sleeping) reduces the mismatch and therefore reduces symptoms. Whatever else you try, don't read. Load up a podcast or audiobook, put on your headphones, and close your eyes. You can also use meditation techniques, such as breathing exercises, to calm your body.
Keep close to a window, and keep eyesight on the outdoor environment. In a car, the view from the front seat (driver or passenger) is more calming than the side view from the back seat. On a boat, try looking at the horizon. Fresh air, or at least a fan so you can feel air moving across your face, may help.
If you have the option of changing your location, pick a forward-facing seat near the center of the vehicle or compartment. This is most important on a boat. On a commercial airplane, pick an aisle seat over or just behind the wings. On a double-decker bus or train, see if you can move to the lower level.
Sometimes taking a break can help. If you're in a car, consider finding a safe place to stop. Get out of the car and walk around for a few minutes, until you feel a little better.