How to Prevent Motion Sickness in Air Travel

Motion sickness happens when the body, the inner ear and the eyes can't agree on whether your body is moving. In an airplane, your inner ear may sense changes in orientation that your body is not aware of--after all, it's seated--and that your eye may not be able to perceive. Your eyes may perceive movement while you're looking out the window of the plane, but your brain believes the body is sitting still. These conflicting signals can lead to motion sickness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Eat lightly starting the day before you travel. As a general rule, don't eat immediately before or during travel, although some may find that enjoying some crackers and ginger ale helps prevent air sickness.

Step 2

Keep your seat in the upright position--reclining may increase your disorientation--and avoid reading or watching videos during turbulence.

Step 3

Keep cool by positioning the air vent to blow cool air over your face.

Step 4

Consult your doctor about taking medication for air sickness. Some medications must be prescribed, while others, like Dramamine, are available without a prescription--but they may still have side effects like drowsiness and impaired judgment.

Step 5

Try herbal remedies like ginger, peppermint and black horehound. While few scientific studies offer proof of their effects, they've long been used as folk remedies for nausea or motion sickness. Herbs can be taken as a tea steeped in hot water or in tincture or capsule forms.

Step 6

Apply pressure on the acupressure point Pericardium 6, located on the forearm about two finger-widths up the arm from the wrist, between the tendons. This is believed to help relieve nausea. Some stores sell products, like Sea Bands, designed to stimulate this pressure point.

Tips & Warnings

Other alternative remedies that may help prevent air sickness include homeopathic remedies, biofeedback and breathing techniques. Make it a point to avoid alcohol and greasy, salty or dairy foods starting the night before you plan to travel by air.

Other alternative remedies that may help prevent air sickness include homeopathic remedies, biofeedback and breathing techniques.

Make it a point to avoid alcohol and greasy, salty or dairy foods starting the night before you plan to travel by air.

Resources

Sea Bands

Article Written By Marie Mulrooney

Marie Mulrooney has written professionally since 2001. Her diverse background includes numerous outdoor pursuits, personal training and linguistics. She studied mathematics and contributes regularly to various online publications. Mulrooney's print publication credits include national magazines, poetry awards and long-lived columns about local outdoor adventures.

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