11 Tips to Cure Car Sickness

Road trips are for making fun memories, not losing your lunch as you navigate windy mountain roads. If you or one of your children struggles with feeling queasy on long drives, follow these tips to help cure car sickness.

Volunteer to be the Driver

One reason car sickness occurs is because the movement your eyes see and the movement your inner ear senses are different. Taking control of the wheel helps these senses align better since you can predict how the car will move when you’re the one driving.

Face Forward

If driving isn’t an option, at least make sure you’re facing the direction the car is moving. Sitting in backward-facing seats can make your visual and inner ear senses even more disconnected. Face forward when you’re on a train or ferry, and ask to sit in the front seat to help cure car sickness.

Focus on the Horizon

By looking at a stationary object in the distance, you reduce your visual stimulus and help it match your inner ear senses. It’s best to do this from the front passenger seat so you can also keep your head and neck facing forward while relaxing on the headrest.

Get Some Air

A stuffy car can make you feel extra queasy. To help cure car sickness, crack open a window or turn the air vents toward your face.

Eat a Light, Mild Snack

If your stomach feels unsettled, try eating a light snack, such as saltine crackers, dry cereal, bread, or fruit. Avoid heavy, greasy, or acidic food, which could make your car sickness worse.

Drink Water

Sip on cold water, milk, apple juice, or a caffeine-free carbonated beverage, such as seltzer water or ginger ale. Avoid coffee, soda, and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration and worsen your nausea.

Distract Yourself

Stimulating your other senses can help take your mind off your queasy stomach. Switch on the radio and sing along with your favorite songs, or strike up a conversation with the driver or other passengers. It’s still helpful to remain in a calm, motionless position with your head facing forward.

Put Down Your Book

Many people who struggle with car sickness can’t read books or focus on screens in front of them without feeling nauseated. This goes back to the disparity between your visual and inner ear senses. If you’re feeling bored on your road trip, but reading is making you feel sick, switch to an audiobook, listen to music, or nap to pass the time.

Utilize Aromatherapy

Certain scents are known to help reduce nausea, including ginger, lavender, and peppermint. In the confined space of your car, you may not have the option of diffusing essential oils into the air, but you can open a bottle directly under your nose for a moment or two to help cure car sickness. You can even wear an essential oil necklace for convenient access to an anti-nausea scent on your road trip.

Suck on Candy or Lozenges

Ginger is known to help combat queasiness, so sucking on candied ginger is a convenient, effective option to cure car sickness. Licorice root lozenges are another choice for soothing stomach acid irritation and warding off nausea and vomiting.

Take Car Sickness Medicine Before You Travel

If you know you’re prone to car sickness, nip your symptoms in the bud by taking motion sickness medicine before your trip. Try over-the-counter drugs first, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or meclizine (Antivert). Take these 30 to 60 minutes before you get in the car for maximum effectiveness. Then, take another dose every six hours.

If over-the-counter medicine isn’t strong enough, ask your doctor for a prescription. Scopolamine patches provide relief for up to three days. Promethazine tablets, which must be taken twice a day, reduce the signals from your brain that cause vomiting.

Visit Scott’s Fort Collins Auto Before Your Road Trip

Our services may not be able to cure car sickness, but they can help ensure your vehicle is dependable on your upcoming road trip. With an oil change, tire rotation, thorough inspection, and any repairs you need, Scott’s Fort Collins Auto will give you peace of mind as you hit the road this summer.

To schedule an appointment with our mechanic in Fort Collins, please call us at (970) 682-4202 or contact us online. You can also stop in for the services you need whenever it’s convenient for you.