Travel sickness: quick, practical ways to stop nausea and motion sickness
If your stomach flips every time you hit the road, plane, or sea, this page is for you. Travel sickness happens when your inner ear, eyes, and body send mixed signals to the brain. That mismatch creates dizziness, nausea, sweating, and sometimes vomiting. The good news: small changes make a big difference. Below are straight‑forward steps you can start using today.
Quick fixes and home remedies
Start with the basics. Sit where motion is least felt: front seat of a car, over the wing on a plane, or mid‑ship on a boat. Face forward and look at the horizon. Keep fresh air moving—open a vent, use a fan, or step outside when you can. Avoid heavy, greasy meals before travel; choose light carbs and protein instead. Stay hydrated but sip slowly—big gulps can worsen nausea.
Ginger works for many people. Ginger candies, ginger tea, or a small ginger supplement can calm the stomach if taken before travel. Acupressure wrist bands (pressing the P6 point) help some travelers and are drug‑free. Distract your brain: listen to music or an audiobook, not a screen, which can make symptoms worse. If you travel with kids, give them the same positioning and ginger options, and plan breaks every hour if driving.
Medications and when to use them
Over‑the‑counter options include dimenhydrinate and meclizine. People often take these 30–60 minutes before travel; meclizine is commonly used once daily while dimenhydrinate may need repeat dosing. Scopolamine patches (behind the ear) are effective for sea travel and long trips—apply according to the product instructions ahead of travel. Prescription drugs like promethazine or ondansetron are sometimes used for severe cases, but check with your doctor first, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on other medications.
Keep a small travel kit: anti‑nausea medication (as advised by your clinician), ginger candies, wrist bands, a small bottle of water, and salty crackers. If you know a specific trigger—rough seas, bumpy roads, or spinning visuals—plan around it. For example, choose calmer travel times or secure seating when possible.
See a doctor if travel sickness doesn’t improve with these measures, if you vomit for many hours, can’t keep fluids down, faint, or have severe headaches or vision changes. Also ask a clinician about children’s dosing—kids use different strengths and formulas.
Too much prep feels like overkill, but one small change often stops the whole thing. Pick two tips—positioning and a ginger or medication option—and test them on a short trip. If they work, you’ve likely found a reliable routine for stress‑free travel.
