We all love a good holiday. Getting there is usually half the fun. But if you suffer from travel sickness, the journey can feel like an absolute nightmare. The constant feeling of nausea, dizziness and an upset stomach can ruin the start of any trip.
You might feel like you have to rely on strong medication that leaves you feeling drowsy and sluggish for days. The good news is that there are many natural ways to overcome travel sickness. Mother Nature has provided us with plenty of drug-free solutions to keep your stomach settled. Many of these will also work for nausea in pregnancy, otherwise known as morning sickness!
What actually causes travel sickness?
Your brain is incredibly smart, but it can get very confused when you travel. Travel sickness, also known as motion sickness, happens when there is a conflict between your senses.
Your eyes might see the inside of a car or a boat cabin, which looks perfectly still. At the exact same time, your inner ear feels the physical movement of the vehicle going up, down and around corners. This mixed message causes a sensory traffic jam in your brain. The result is that awful wave of nausea.
The experts at the NHS note that anyone can get motion sickness, but it is much more common in young children and pregnant women. Some people are just naturally more prone to it than others. Thankfully, you do not have to just sit there and suffer.
Preparing for your trip: things to do before you leave
Planning ahead is your best defence against a queasy stomach. If you are packing for a big trip, you must think about items that will make you comfortable. For instance, if you are reading up on things to pack for a long haul trip to New Zealand, remember to add a small travel sickness kit to your hand luggage. Include items like ginger sweets or peppermint tea bags.
The same logic applies if you are looking into things to pack for a trip to Iceland that people forget. A small stash of natural remedies takes up very little space in your backpack but can save your entire day.
If you plan on driving abroad, perhaps by following our guide to driving in Spain, knowing who will take the wheel is important. Drivers rarely get travel sickness. This is because their eyes are constantly locked on the road ahead, so their brain expects the movement of the car. If you feel sick, ask if you can do the driving.
Herbal remedies to settle your stomach
Nature provides some brilliant remedies for an upset tummy. People have used these plants for thousands of years to treat sickness.
Ginger is consistently the top choice for treating travel sickness naturally. Researchers note that ginger helps stop the stomach contractions that trigger nausea. It is incredibly versatile too. You can try chewing on ginger biscuits, drinking hot ginger tea, taking ginger capsules, or even nibbling on crystallised ginger pieces.
Peppermint is another fantastic option. Smelling pure peppermint oil or drinking a strong cup of peppermint tea can relax your stomach muscles instantly. The cooling scent alone is often enough to distract your brain from feeling dizzy.
Chamomile is also highly recommended. A warm cup of chamomile tea before you set off can relax your digestive system and calm your nerves. If you are feeling anxious about getting sick, chamomile acts as a gentle, natural relaxant.
Food and drink tips for a happy tummy
Travelling on a completely empty stomach is a very bad idea. Eating heavy, greasy or spicy food before a trip is just as bad. You need to find a happy medium to keep your digestive system stable.
Snack on dry, bland foods. Plain crackers or unbuttered toast are perfect because they help absorb any excess stomach acid.
Green apples are another secret weapon against nausea. The natural pectin in green apples helps neutralise acid in the stomach. The natural sugar also gives you a gentle energy boost without making you feel heavy or bloated.
Remember to sip cold, fresh water slowly throughout your journey. Gulping down large amounts of water will only make you feel worse. Small, regular sips keep you hydrated and help settle your stomach.
Acupressure for motion sickness
You do not need to be an expert in traditional Chinese medicine to use acupressure. Acupressure simply uses your fingers to press specific points on the body to relieve pain and sickness.
For nausea, the P6 point is your absolute best friend. Experts at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center refer to this as the Neiguan point. It sits on your inner arm, exactly three finger widths below your wrist crease.
To use this method, press firmly on this specific spot with your thumb for a few minutes. You should feel a slight dull ache, but it should not be painful. You can massage it gently in a circular motion. If you do not want to press it manually all day, you can buy special elastic wristbands. These bands have a small plastic stud that applies constant pressure to the P6 point automatically.
Physical tricks to keep nausea away
Where you sit and what you do with your body matters a lot. Modifying your physical environment is one of the easiest ways to prevent sickness.
The Nottinghamshire Area Prescribing Committee highly recommends sitting in the front seat of a car. You should look straight ahead out of the front window. Keep your eyes fixed on the horizon or a distant, unmoving object. Absolutely do not look down at a mobile phone, a tablet or a book.
If you are travelling on a boat, try to stay in the very middle of the vessel. The middle of a boat experiences the least amount of rocking motion.
Fresh air is also a total lifesaver. Open a car window to let a cool breeze hit your face. If you are on a ferry, step outside onto the deck and breathe in the sea air.
Furthermore, the BBC highlights that controlled breathing is scientifically proven to help. Take very slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This simple action helps calm your central nervous system and takes your mind off the motion.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cure travel sickness permanently?
No, there is currently no permanent, magic cure for motion sickness. However, you can manage it incredibly well. By using natural remedies, watching what you eat, and practicing good travel habits, you can stop the symptoms before they start.
Does looking at a screen make motion sickness worse?
Yes, it makes it much worse. Reading a book or scrolling through a phone confuses your brain even more. Your eyes are focusing on a still object in your lap, while your inner ear is feeling the car move around corners. This instantly triggers nausea.
Are acupressure wristbands actually effective?
Many people find them very helpful and will not travel without them. They work by continuously stimulating the P6 pressure point on your wrist, which is known to relieve feelings of sickness. They are completely drug-free and safe for children to use.
Why do some people never get travel sickness?
Everyone has a different level of sensitivity. Some people have inner ears that are simply less sensitive to motion. People who suffer from migraines are also much more likely to experience travel sickness than those who do not.
Ready for a smoother journey
You do not have to let motion sickness ruin your well-deserved holidays. The days of dreading a long car ride or a boat trip can finally be behind you. By packing the right dry snacks, trying out natural ginger or peppermint remedies, and keeping your eyes firmly on the horizon, you can arrive at your destination feeling totally fresh.
Next time you plan a big adventure, put these natural tips to the test. Drink some chamomile tea, find your P6 acupressure point, and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the window. Have a wonderful, safe, and entirely nausea-free trip!
This is great advice for me, I’m terribly travel sick, especially on buses and on the water, even the Norfolk Broads as a child had me ill. Definitely going to bookmark this so it’s ready for my next trip, thank you.