Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Eat and Drink
Be Aware of Triggers
Tilt Your Head Into Turns
Focus on Breathing
Avoid Reading in Transit
Look at the Horizon
Pressure Points
Ginger Root
While there’s no single explanation for why only some people get motion sickness or why they can get it in some situations but not others, here are simple strategies that may help to prevent or reduce the symptoms.
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1. Eat Small Meals and Stay Hydrated
Although it can be tempting to fill up before you travel to avoid eating packaged food on board, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends eating smaller, more frequent meals and drinking water.
Although the options can be very limited when you’re traveling, avoid salty, spicy, or greasy foods and minimize your intake of caffeinated beverages and alcohol before and during your travel.
2. Be Aware of Situations That Trigger Symptoms
Do you get nauseous when you’re riding in the second or third row of an SUV? Are you OK on a train, but tend to feel sick on buses? Knowing your triggers can help you avoid them. In a car or bus, for instance, sitting towards the front may help. On a train, face forward, avoiding seats that face backward. If you’re flying, sit close to the wing of the plane. On a boat, try to sit at the front.
3. Tilt Your Head Into Turns
Synchronizing your body with the motion may help reduce motion sickness. Turns and rotary motion tend to cause more severe motion sickness than travel in a linear motion. Tilting your head into turns may help, according to a study published inErgonomicsin 2016. Researchers found that passengers experienced less motion sickness when they tilted their heads into the direction of a turn (rather than away from turns) and kept their eyes open.
4. Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing
In a small study published inAerospace Medicine and Human Performancein 2015, participants either practiced slow,diaphragmatic breathing(at six breaths per minute) or breathed normally while viewing a virtual reality simulation of a boat at rough seas.
Those who practiced diaphragmatic breathing had greater heart rate variability (an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity) and reported feeling less motion sickness than those who breathed normally.
5. Avoid Reading (or Computer Work) While in Transit
It may be tempting to catch up on work or sink into a good book, but reading or using a device like a computer or a tablet should be avoided, especially on a bumpy ride. The balance center in your inner ear senses movement, but the words on the screen or page are still—these mixed messages can result in nausea.
Avoid sudden or rapid head movements, especially those that involve twisting or turning. If you can, rest your head on the back of your seat or lie down with your eyes closed.
7. Look at the Horizon
8. Press on This Pressure Point
According totraditional Chinese medicine, pressing on anacupressurepoint called “pericardium 6,” “P6,” or “Nei-guan” may relieve nausea.The point is located on the inner side of the forearm, about 2 inches (or three finger widths) above the crease of the wrist in between the two tendons.
There has been very little research on the effectiveness of acupressure for motion sickness but early research, which has focused on postoperative nausea and vomiting, suggests that acupressure may ease nausea.
You can press on the point using the index finger of your opposite hand. Alternatively, acupressure wristbands, often marketed as “sea bands,” are said to stimulate the point.The bands are worn on the forearm and typically have a plastic button or bead that places pressure on the P6 point. The person wearing the band can also press the bead for additional stimulation. Acupressure bands typically cost less than $10 for a pair and can be found online or in some health food stores.
9. Consider Ginger Root
A widely usedremedy for nausea, ginger root is often taken in the form of lozenges, tea, capsules, tablets, crystallized root, candies, or ginger ale.
Summary
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Motion sickness.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Complementary Health Approaches for Travelers.Halson SL, Burke LM, Pearce J.Nutrition for Travel: From Jet lag To Catering. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29(2):228-235.Wada T, Yoshida K.Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016;59(8):1050-9.Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR.Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015;86(5):452-7.Lackner JR.Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting.Exp Brain Res. 2014;232(8):2493–2510. doi:10.1007/s00221-014-4008-8Stoffregen TA, Chen FC, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG.Getting Your Sea Legs. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Son H, Choi SM, Lee S.Effect of self-acupressure for symptom management: A systematic review.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(1):68-78. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.11.002Hofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R.Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017;32(4):271-278.Nilsson I, Karlsson Å, Lindgren L, Bergenheim T, Koskinen LO, Nilsson U.The efficacy of p6 acupressure with sea-band in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. 2015;27(1):42-50. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000089Lete I, Alluέ J.The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy.Integr Med Insights. 2016;11:IMI.S36273. doi:10.4137/IMI.S36273Leung AK, Hon KL.Motion sickness: an overview.DIC. 2019;8:1-11. doi:10.7573/dic.2019-9-4Ernst E, Pittler MH.Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.Br J Anaesth. 2000;84(3):367–371. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.bja.a013442Marx W, McKavanagh D, McCarthy AL, et al.The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Platelet Aggregation: A Systematic Literature Review [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0143675].PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0141119. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141119Additional ReadingHofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R. Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017 Aug;32(4):271-278.Stoffregen TA, Chen F-C, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG. Getting Your Sea Legs. Balasubramaniam R, ed. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR. Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015 May;86(5):452-7.Wada T, Yoshida K. Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016 Aug;59(8):1050-9.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Motion sickness.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Complementary Health Approaches for Travelers.Halson SL, Burke LM, Pearce J.Nutrition for Travel: From Jet lag To Catering. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29(2):228-235.Wada T, Yoshida K.Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016;59(8):1050-9.Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR.Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015;86(5):452-7.Lackner JR.Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting.Exp Brain Res. 2014;232(8):2493–2510. doi:10.1007/s00221-014-4008-8Stoffregen TA, Chen FC, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG.Getting Your Sea Legs. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Son H, Choi SM, Lee S.Effect of self-acupressure for symptom management: A systematic review.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(1):68-78. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.11.002Hofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R.Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017;32(4):271-278.Nilsson I, Karlsson Å, Lindgren L, Bergenheim T, Koskinen LO, Nilsson U.The efficacy of p6 acupressure with sea-band in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. 2015;27(1):42-50. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000089Lete I, Alluέ J.The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy.Integr Med Insights. 2016;11:IMI.S36273. doi:10.4137/IMI.S36273Leung AK, Hon KL.Motion sickness: an overview.DIC. 2019;8:1-11. doi:10.7573/dic.2019-9-4Ernst E, Pittler MH.Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.Br J Anaesth. 2000;84(3):367–371. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.bja.a013442Marx W, McKavanagh D, McCarthy AL, et al.The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Platelet Aggregation: A Systematic Literature Review [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0143675].PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0141119. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141119Additional ReadingHofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R. Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017 Aug;32(4):271-278.Stoffregen TA, Chen F-C, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG. Getting Your Sea Legs. Balasubramaniam R, ed. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR. Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015 May;86(5):452-7.Wada T, Yoshida K. Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016 Aug;59(8):1050-9.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Motion sickness.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Complementary Health Approaches for Travelers.Halson SL, Burke LM, Pearce J.Nutrition for Travel: From Jet lag To Catering. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29(2):228-235.Wada T, Yoshida K.Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016;59(8):1050-9.Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR.Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015;86(5):452-7.Lackner JR.Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting.Exp Brain Res. 2014;232(8):2493–2510. doi:10.1007/s00221-014-4008-8Stoffregen TA, Chen FC, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG.Getting Your Sea Legs. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Son H, Choi SM, Lee S.Effect of self-acupressure for symptom management: A systematic review.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(1):68-78. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.11.002Hofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R.Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017;32(4):271-278.Nilsson I, Karlsson Å, Lindgren L, Bergenheim T, Koskinen LO, Nilsson U.The efficacy of p6 acupressure with sea-band in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. 2015;27(1):42-50. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000089Lete I, Alluέ J.The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy.Integr Med Insights. 2016;11:IMI.S36273. doi:10.4137/IMI.S36273Leung AK, Hon KL.Motion sickness: an overview.DIC. 2019;8:1-11. doi:10.7573/dic.2019-9-4Ernst E, Pittler MH.Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.Br J Anaesth. 2000;84(3):367–371. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.bja.a013442Marx W, McKavanagh D, McCarthy AL, et al.The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Platelet Aggregation: A Systematic Literature Review [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0143675].PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0141119. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141119
MedlinePlus.Motion sickness.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Complementary Health Approaches for Travelers.
Halson SL, Burke LM, Pearce J.Nutrition for Travel: From Jet lag To Catering. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29(2):228-235.
Wada T, Yoshida K.Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016;59(8):1050-9.
Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR.Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015;86(5):452-7.
Lackner JR.Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting.Exp Brain Res. 2014;232(8):2493–2510. doi:10.1007/s00221-014-4008-8
Stoffregen TA, Chen FC, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG.Getting Your Sea Legs. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.
Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Son H, Choi SM, Lee S.Effect of self-acupressure for symptom management: A systematic review.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(1):68-78. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.11.002
Hofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R.Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017;32(4):271-278.
Nilsson I, Karlsson Å, Lindgren L, Bergenheim T, Koskinen LO, Nilsson U.The efficacy of p6 acupressure with sea-band in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. 2015;27(1):42-50. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000089
Lete I, Alluέ J.The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy.Integr Med Insights. 2016;11:IMI.S36273. doi:10.4137/IMI.S36273
Leung AK, Hon KL.Motion sickness: an overview.DIC. 2019;8:1-11. doi:10.7573/dic.2019-9-4
Ernst E, Pittler MH.Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.Br J Anaesth. 2000;84(3):367–371. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.bja.a013442
Marx W, McKavanagh D, McCarthy AL, et al.The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Platelet Aggregation: A Systematic Literature Review [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0143675].PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0141119. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141119
Hofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R. Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017 Aug;32(4):271-278.Stoffregen TA, Chen F-C, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG. Getting Your Sea Legs. Balasubramaniam R, ed. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR. Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015 May;86(5):452-7.Wada T, Yoshida K. Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016 Aug;59(8):1050-9.
Hofmann D, Murray C, Beck J, Homann R. Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017 Aug;32(4):271-278.
Stoffregen TA, Chen F-C, Varlet M, Alcantara C, Bardy BG. Getting Your Sea Legs. Balasubramaniam R, ed. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(6):e66949.
Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR. Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015 May;86(5):452-7.
Wada T, Yoshida K. Effect of passengers' active head tilt and opening/closure of eyes on motion sickness in lateral acceleration environment of cars. Ergonomics. 2016 Aug;59(8):1050-9.
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