Motion sickness? 7 simple tips and tricks to remedy nausea, vomiting, and dizziness while traveling

Imagine being all excited and pumped up about your upcoming road trip with your friends and family, and within an hour on the road, you start feeling unwell. Sometimes you’re feeling dizzy, sometimes you’re nauseated. Sometimes, you even feel like you’re going to throw up.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many of us have been in this situation at some point in our lives, and hence, we’re here to help.

Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness, can turn any trip, by car, plane, train, or boat, into an uncomfortable ordeal. It causes nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, and even vomiting. Motion sickness happens when your inner ear signals that you're moving, but your eyes don’t see the same movement, or vice versa. This sensory conflict confuses the brain and triggers symptoms like nausea, dizziness, headache, cold sweat, fatigue, and even vomiting.

While it’s common and usually not serious, it can turn any trip into a miserable experience.

The good news? You don’t need complex treatments to feel better. With simple behavior tweaks, effective strategies, natural remedies, and over-the-counter medicine, like choosing the right seat, staying hydrated, using ginger, and looking at the horizon, you can reduce symptoms and enjoy your journey.

Let’s explore seven tips and tricks that help reduce motion sickness and make travel smooth and comfortable.

Where you sit makes a big difference. In cars or buses, opt for the front seat, or better yet, drive, since the front experiences the least motion. On planes, pick a seat over the wing or toward the front for a smoother ride. Boats? Choose cabins or seating toward the middle or front, near water level.

Looking at a stable object, like the horizon, road ahead, or a distant landmark, helps align what your eyes see with what your inner ear senses. This eases sensory conflict, reducing nausea and dizziness. Avoid looking down at devices or reading material while in motion.

Fresh, cool air can soothe you when feeling sick. If possible, crack open a window in the car, angle an air vent toward your face on a plane, or head up to the deck on a ship. Even a small breeze makes a noticeable difference.

Skip heavy, greasy, spicy, or acidic foods before and during travel. Instead, choose bland, easy-to-digest snacks like crackers, bread, bananas, or cereal. Drink water regularly, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and consider sips of ginger ale (though be cautious of carbonation triggering bloating).

Distracting yourself or calming your senses while you’re on the go can ease symptoms. Listen to music or engage in conversation. In more severe cases, closing your eyes, taking deep breaths, or even napping can help resolve the internal conflict causing motion sickness.

Ginger, available as tea, candies, or tablets, is a trusted remedy for nausea. Peppermint aromatherapy may also help calm queasiness. Applying pressure to the P6 acupressure point (on your inner wrist) or using acupressure bands may also provide relief, even if partly due to a placebo.

If simpler methods aren’t working, over-the-counter antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) can help; just be aware that they often cause drowsiness. For stronger prevention, scopolamine patches can be used (placed behind the ear at least 4 hours before travel). Always follow directions and consult a healthcare provider if needed.