10 Drug-Free Tips for Getting Over Seasickness
By Chris Brown
The rolling waves of a sea voyage, while beautiful and humbling, can mean torture for those afflicted by sea sickness. For them, a nausea-free sea voyage may not seem possible without a dose or two of anti-nausea medication. However, if you are opposed to adding pharmaceuticals to your body or simply forget to bring that precious dose, there are 10 tips to help you avoid the sea-spins drug-free, with a little preparation.
Eat a light snack - Although it might be tempting to eat nothing before a sea voyage, that can be just as bad for nausea as overeating. A light snack of acid-neutralizing foods, such as saltines or pretzels, can help settle your stomach pre-sail.
Acupuncture wristband - Popular for many sufferers, these wristbands apply continuous pressure to a point of the wrist known to cure motion sickness.
Chew ginger or drink ginger ale - Ginger is an old home remedy for sea sickness that settles your stomach and keeps you from getting dizzy.
Sit on deck, in the open air - Fresh air and sun are your friends when dealing with sea sickness. Avoid the claustrophobic, inner-ear confusing rooms below deck, if possible.
Arrive to the ship rested and sober - When facing a boat trip while prone to sea sickness, you should be in top physical form. This means removing states that can add a dizzy feeling (such as tiredness and alcohol).
Look out at the horizon - Oftentimes the visual movement of the ship is the most nauseating part of sea sickness. Focusing on the still point of the horizon can bring some stability to your vision, even in the most turbulent of waters.
Shut out your senses - If horizon focusing doesn't help, shutting out your senses altogether can reduce sea sickness. Many doctors attribute sea sickness to an overwhelming of input on the brain. Shutting your eyes and using earplugs can reduce the external input and calm the nausea.
Psychologically trick yourself into not being seasick - A psychological technique of mental trickery has been used for years to rid sailors of sea sickness. Since much of sea sickness is psychological, simply telling yourself that you do not get seasick prior to boarding may preemptively disrupt your need to vomit.
Lay down in the middle of the ship - The midpoint of the ship offers the least amount of rock and laying down is supposed to prevent some of the nausea-causing histamine from reaching the brain.
Put your feet in ice water - When all else has failed, it may be time to try an old sailor technique of putting your feet in ice water.
With these 10 tips in hand, you are sure to find one that can allow you to experience a boat ride nausea-free. And who knows, it may just end up being a pleasant experience at sea.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Winter Park, Fla.