Tips For Car Sickness
How to overcome dreaded motion sickness
Originally published in Matrix’ Motorist Resources.
Car sickness is a type of motion sickness and is common among millions of people. Certainly one of the top 10 most dreaded feelings for anyone, is nausea while travelling. Imagine a child sitting in the backseat without being able to see out the window, or a passenger reading a book. The inner ear will sense motion, but the eyes and joints will not. This may result in an upset stomach, cold sweats, fatigue and nausea.
Car sickness is certainly an awful feeling when travelling, however, there are a few things that you can do to control it. Here are some tips for car sickness:
- Reduce Your Sensory Input: As soon as you start to feel a bit queasy, look at the things outside the car instead of focusing on a book or movies.
- Carefully Plan Your Pre-Trip Meals: It’s a good idea not to indulge in a large spicy or a greasy meal before or during travelling. Rather opt for something light, such as fruit, a small snack or even just some dry crackers. Ginger has also proven to be effective in treating nausea so opt for ginger biscuits.
- Provide Air Ventilation: Adequate air ventilation in the car will definitely help with car sickness. Turn the aircon onto full blast for a few minutes or open up the window to let the fresh air in. Try to keep the air clear of any strong odours.
- Travel Sickness Medication: There are a number of medications available that assist in the prevention of travel sickness. Its important to read the label carefully to determine the correct dose and be prepared for possible side effects, such as drowsiness.
If these tips for car sickness don’t seem to be effective, consult your doctor about other options available to you.
