12 must-know tips when you want to get rid of car sick

Car sickness happens to more people than you think. It is a type of motion sickness or kinetosis that some people experience when riding a vehicle. Believe it or not, almost everyone has experienced motion sickness at some point in their lives and between five to ten percent of people are particularly susceptible to motion sickness.

Car sickness happens to more people than you think

When you have car sickness, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy car rides and can make you dread every time there’s an extended road trip. It can have a negative effect on your commute or fun car activities with your family and friends. Some of the common symptoms of car sickness are fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and sweating. Good thing there are ways to avoid getting car sick and that is what we’re going to discuss in this article from Philkotse.com.

1. Prefer sitting in the front seat of the vehicle

Most doctors believe that the cause of motion sickness is the conflict between what the eyes see and how the body interprets the car’s motion that uses signals from the inner ear to feel balance. One example is when a person sees the car seat in front but their body senses the speed and curves of the road, their inner might be thrown off. It will then result in dizziness and nausea which are common symptoms of car sickness.

One of the ways to avoid feeling that way is to try focusing your eyes on the road in the front allowing your body to interpret the same information. If you sit in the front seat, there’s a lesser chance of experiencing a discrepancy in what you’re seeing and your body’s interpretation of the vehicle’s motion.

If you are driving the car, it’s an advantage because it distracts you from car sickness by providing you something to focus on.

If you sit in the front seat, there’s a lesser chance of experiencing a discrepancy between your eyes and your body

>>> Also important to you: 3 simple tips for Filipino motorists to adopt a proper driving posture.

2. Focus your vision on the horizon

Focusing your vision in a fixed point helps in keeping your inner ear, nerves, and eyes in sync. Hold your vision fixated in the stable point somewhere on the horizon. A point can either be a building, a tree, a mountain, etc. Focus at this point and resist looking out the side window.

If you're the one driving, make sure you pay attention to the car's surroundings and the horizon in front.

If you're the one driving, make sure you pay attention to the car's surroundings and the horizon in front

3. Stay cool

A cool and well-ventilated car help ease car sickness. It can also prevent symptoms like nausea and sweating. Open the car windows to allow cross breeze or turn the car AC on, pointing the air vents at you. Additionally, ventilation reduces food odors inside the vehicle. The strong smell of food can trigger car sickness.

A cool and well-ventilated car help ease car sickness

4. Stabilize your head

It’s difficult to focus your vision on a single point if you’re in a bumpy or bouncing car. To have a steady vision, you have to ensure that your head is steady as well. You can do it by resting your head against your seat’s headrest. Using a neck pillow can also stabilize your head thus stabilizing your vision.

Using a neck pillow can stabilize your head thus stabilizing your vision

5. Have frequent breaks

Have frequent breaks by going outside and stretching your legs. You can also sit under a tree or bench then take deep breaths using your mouth to relax. Taking frequent breaks is very important during long rides involving curvy roads in long distance. It will help reduce car sickness and it’s beneficial for the driver. Continue driving if you already feel alert and nausea and dizziness are gone.

6. Take a nap

Try taking a nap. It can work wonders for passengers. By sleeping, passengers will not notice the difference in their visual information and the signals their body sends because their eyes were closed. Most people find sleeping as the best way to overcome car sickness during long journeys.

If you’re having difficulty sleeping during long car rides, you can try using sleeping aid. Just make sure you are not driving during the whole ride.

Trying to take a nap might help if you are suffering from car sick

7. Find a distraction

One of the best ways to reduce car sickness is finding a distraction. This is an effective way particularly for kids or any passengers riding in the backseat. It will help in taking their mind off nausea and dizziness. Distractions can be singing, listening to music, and playing games with fellow passengers.

>>> More to know: Best in-car entertainment ideas to fight boredom while in a long drive.

8. Do not use devices, mobile phones, and books

Using things that will require you to concentrate objects inside the vehicle can worsen car sickness. Looking at a kindle, a tablet, a book or a phone game increases the discrepancy between your eyes and your body. To avoid car sickness, ensure that you only focus on the horizon outside the car.

Instead of using mobile phones and books, use the car radio, audiobooks, and CDs instead. It can keep you entertained without experiencing car sickness.

9. Take a deep breath

Nervousness and anxiety will only worsen car sickness. You can relax your body and slow your heart rate by slow and deliberate breathing exercises. It will reduce the likeliness of you experiencing any symptoms of kinetosis or motion sickness.

You can relax your body and slow your heart rate by slow and deliberate breathing exercises

10. Avoid consuming alcohol and greasy meals before the trip

Your body will be more prone to experience nausea if you consume greasy foods.  Alcohol also causes hangover symptoms worsening car sickness like sweating, nausea, headache, and dizziness.

To avoid car sickness, refrain from consuming high-fat foods as well as alcoholic drinks if you’re riding a car soon. Not only that, you might get fined if you are driving under some certain types of influence, according to the safe driving law. 

11. Eat light meals

Consuming heavy meals will increase the chances of experiencing nausea. If you’re riding a vehicle, particularly on long journeys, opt for light, low-fat, small and healthy meals you can eat frequently. We highly suggest eating meals that are high in protein and low in fat. It’s the ideal food to avoid car sickness.

12. Stay hydrated

Another thing that can trigger the symptoms of car sickness is dehydration. Stay hydrated before and during the whole car trip. It will prevent the feeling of sickness. Drinking water is a great way to keep hydrated but a flavored drink can also help you be distracted from feeling nausea and dizziness.