Looking forward to that road trip, but wondering how you and your little ones will cope with those winding roads? Feeling car sick can be a real challenge and is something almost everyone will unpleasantly experience at least once in their life.
Picture being in the back seat and you can’t see out the window, or are focused on a book or device. When your inner ear senses motion but your eyes don’t, this can cause queasiness, cold sweats, or even vomiting.
Try out these helpful tips to keep the nausea away and make those road trips eventful in a good way.
Avoid travelling on an empty stomach or eating heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods. It’s easy to pop into the bakery or petrol station and fill up on greasy goodness, but these fatty foods are known to cause nausea or worsen car sickness.
Eat something bland and light about 45-60 minutes before you leave. When on the road for a long period of time, snack every few hours on simple carbohydrates such as plain crackers, pretzels, light bread and cereals. Foods that are low in fat and acid are less likely to upset your tummy and make you vomit.
Stick to water for hydration and keep the juice, coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, or milk-based beverages for when you arrive at your destination.
The brain is better able to decipher motion when it has a full view of its surroundings. If you can, sit in the front seat or offer to drive so you can focus outside on the road ahead, rather than on the objects whizzing by. When you are sitting in the front, you feel less force from the wheels turning than you would in the back.
For children, try to give them a good viewing point with an elevated car seat or booster seat. Encourage them to look forward out of the window and focus on the horizon or something stationary like buildings or mountains further away in the distance. When you focus on a single point in the distance, your eyes and brain no longer need to process the moving scenery around you.
Looking at things up close—like books, phones, or tablets—often triggers nausea while travelling. When your eyes are fixed on something, your peripheral vision sees the interior of the car and thinks that you’re still. However, as the car bumps up and down, turns, or accelerates and brakes, your ears disagree.
Keep the screens and books away and be entertained by the scenery outside, playing classic car games (I Spy, Car Cricket, Spot the Swift), or listening to music or an audiobook
Cool, fresh air does wonders if you or your little ones are feeling hot or queasy. Don’t let the cabin get stuffy or too warm even when it’s cold outside.
Crack a window or use vents for airflow, and take breaks outside and smell the fresh air when you can. By putting your feet back on firm ground and stretching out, your body and brain have a chance to stabilise and reset, so you can carry on your journey ahead.
Stay away from strong scents like perfumes, air fresheners, or smelly snacks, and keep the vehicle as odour-free as possible.
Listening to music can be a great distraction from feeling car sick. Tune in to your favourite album, playlist, or audiobook to help you feel more comfortable on the road. Uplifting or calming tunes can help you relieve tension, soothe your anxiety, and help your brain handle the motion better.
Even better, use headphones instead of the car radio. Listening through in-ear headphones can give you clear balanced stereo sound, which may help steady your sense of balance and keep you from feeling green.
Another alternative is to close your eyes, rest your head on your headrest and take slow, calm, deep breaths. By keeping your head still and reducing the sensory input, the effects of the motion on your body aren’t as overwhelming. If you can, go to sleep. This passes the journey quickly and you won’t feel a thing.
Chewing some minty flavoured gum or peppermint lollies can help soothe car sickness. It draws your attention away from how you are feeling, focuses your breathing and stimulates digestion. Moving your jaw may help your inner ear with balance and the minty flavour can soothe your stomach.
Don’t like gum? Try ginger, another effective natural remedy commonly used. This spice may help reduce inflammation, aid digestion, and encourage the release of hormones to lower your blood pressure and ease nausea. Try ginger lollies, ginger biscuits or ginger drinks to settle your stomach, or take a supplement before beginning your journey.
Grab a lemon from home and rub it between your hands. The strong smell of citrus can distract your senses from feeling yucky. Breathing in these fresh aromas sends calming signals to your brain, helping your body relax and your stomach feel better.
Preventing travel sickness is much more effective than attempting to treat symptoms once they’re in full swing. Travel sickness tablets like Sea-legs are available without a prescription and can help prevent nausea on car, bus, boat, or even plane trips. They may cause drowsiness, so be sure to consult your doctor before using them—especially if you’re driving.
For those who prefer a more natural option, you can try wearing acupressure bands on your wrists. If you don’t have a wristband, you can press your wrist with your opposite hand’s thumb.
Long drives and motion sickness don’t always mix, but with a little planning and preparation, you can make every car journey far more comfortable.
Here are a few other things to do before you leave home:
A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth, safe journey — so if you're thinking about getting a new car and need a little help to get started, check out our Ultimate Guide To Buying A New Car.