Motion sickness occurs when there’s a difference between what you’re seeing (movement) and what you’re feeling (sitting still). “The body uses different mechanisms to make sense of your equilibrium and balance,” explains nutritionist Samantha McKinney, RD, CPT, a Life Time master trainer. “If there’s a mismatch between the visual and inner-ear inputs that help you know where you are in space, your brain might have a hard time processing.”
Integrative psychiatrist Henry Emmons, MD, author of The Chemistry of Joy notes that keeping blood-sugar levels stable can mitigate motion sickness. “Eat moderate-size snacks with some protein and fat relatively frequently,” he suggests. Think carrot sticks and hummus or a high-protein granola bar. “You want something with some fiber that’s not quickly digested.”
Ginger is another time-tested tool for calming nausea, notes Sara Jean Barrett, ND. She likes Gin Gins, individually wrapped ginger chews that are easy to toss in a bag or a pocket.
A whiff or two of peppermint oil can help settle an upset stomach as well. “An advantage of aromatherapy is that it gets into your body immediately,” says Emmons. “Anything you ingest will have a time lag.”
Homeopathic remedies, such as nux vomica and tabacum, can be a good option for those who are familiar with the specific qualities of their motion sickness. “Tabacum is good if being warm makes the nausea worse, and nux vomica is for people who feel more chilly,” explains Barrett.
These remedies are typically taken in tablets or small pellets that dissolve beneath the tongue. (Learn more about homeopathy at “What Is Homeopathy?“.)
Keeping your eyes fixed on the horizon can be helpful. Some find additional relief from acupressure bracelets that put pressure on the P6, or Nei-Kuan, acupressure point (about three finger-widths from the base of your palm on your inner wrist), Barrett adds. “You can also alternate gently pressing that spot first on one wrist and then the other.”
This was excerpted from “6 Common Travel Illnesses and How to Treat Them” which was published in the November 2022 issue of Experience Life.
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