Battling Boat Sickness: The Best Remedies To Stay Afloat

Seasickness, or motion sickness, is an unpleasant feeling caused by the conflicting signals sent to the brain by the eyes, body and inner ear. It can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Luckily, there are a variety of remedies to help prevent and treat seasickness, from medication to natural solutions.

Avoid greasy, high-fat foods, caffeine, alcohol, and big meals before a boat trip

Greasy, high-fat foods, caffeine, and alcohol are all things that can trigger nausea and motion sickness. It's best to avoid these before a boat trip.

Motion sickness is caused by conflicting signals being sent to your brain from your eyes, ears, muscles, and joints. When you're on a boat, your inner ear may detect a rolling motion that your eyes can't see, which can cause motion sickness.

To avoid motion sickness, it's best to eat a light breakfast such as toast or oatmeal. It's also important to stay hydrated, so drink plenty of water.

If you're prone to motion sickness, it's a good idea to get plenty of rest before your boat trip. Once you're on the boat, try to stay outdoors in the shade with a cool breeze on your face. Position yourself near the center of the boat, preferably on the main deck. Look at the horizon, as this will help your eyes send signals to your brain that match what your inner ear is detecting.

If you start to feel nauseous, try lying down or shutting your eyes. Keep your head still and avoid reading or looking at your phone. You can also try acupressure wristbands, which apply pressure to a certain area of your wrist to help prevent nausea.

Take anti-nausea medication, such as Dramamine, Bonine, or Scopolamine

If you're prone to boat sickness, you might want to consider taking anti-nausea medication. There are several over-the-counter options available, including Dramamine, Bonine, and ReliefBand. These medications can help to reduce feelings of nausea and prevent vomiting. However, it's important to keep in mind that these medications may cause side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth. Be sure to read the drug labels and consult your doctor before taking any medication.

Dramamine, also known as dimenhydrinate, is an antihistamine that works by blocking messages in your brain that control vomiting and nausea. It's available over the counter and is one of the most commonly used medications for motion sickness. However, it may cause drowsiness, so it's recommended to look for the Less Drowsy formulation.

Bonine, or meclizine, is another over-the-counter option that is often considered more effective than Dramamine. It tends to cause less drowsiness, but it may need to be taken 24-48 hours before boarding the boat. Dramamine also offers a Less Drowsy formulation that contains meclizine.

If you're looking for a prescription medication, Scopolamine is a popular choice. It comes in the form of a patch that is worn behind the ear, as well as in pill form. Scopolamine is very effective in reducing or eliminating motion sickness, but it may cause side effects such as extreme drowsiness, blurred vision, and hallucinations. It's important to consult your doctor before taking Scopolamine to weigh the benefits against the potential side effects.

While anti-nausea medication can be helpful, it's worth noting that different medications affect different people differently. It may take some trial and error to find the medication that works best for you. Additionally, it's always a good idea to consult your physician before taking any medication, even over-the-counter options, to ensure it is safe and appropriate for you.

Try acupressure wristbands, which block signals to the brain that cause seasickness

Acupressure wristbands are a great way to prevent seasickness. They work by applying pressure to a specific area of your wrist, blocking signals to the brain that cause seasickness. This is similar to acupuncture, which also blocks signals to the brain.

The wristbands are available in pharmacies and many online stores. They are also prescribed by doctors to pregnant women to prevent morning sickness. Some people have found them to be very effective, with one person reporting that their grandchildren were playing board games within 30 minutes of putting the bands on during a boat ride in five-foot waves.

There are two types of acupressure wristbands: those that use pressure on the wrist to block signals, and a high-tech version that uses electronic stimulation. The high-tech version, called ReliefBand, has intensity settings from one to five and sends an electrical impulse into the palm of your hand. It can be put on when you start feeling unwell and then removed once you feel better.

While some people have found acupressure wristbands to be a miracle cure, others have reported that they didn't work for them. There are also some reports of the wristbands causing a placebo effect, where the wearer didn't get sick but it's unclear if it was due to the wristband or not.

If you're looking for a drug-free, non-invasive way to prevent seasickness, acupressure wristbands are worth a try.

Look at the horizon to reset your internal equilibrium

Looking at the horizon is a great way to reset your internal equilibrium and prevent seasickness. When you're on a boat, your eyes and inner ears send conflicting messages to your brain, which can make you feel queasy. By focusing on the horizon, you can help your eyes and inner ears sync up, reducing the sensory mismatch that leads to seasickness. This technique is especially effective on a boat because the horizon stays stationary even as the boat rocks back and forth.

To make the most of this strategy, try to position yourself in the centre of the boat, preferably on the main deck, outdoors. This is where you'll experience the least amount of motion. If you're on a cruise ship, ask for a cabin near the middle of the ship, ideally with a window, so you can easily see the horizon. If you're travelling by car or bus, sitting in the front seat can also help, as you'll be able to see the road ahead and anticipate movements.

It's also important to avoid triggers that can make seasickness worse. These include things like reading or looking at your phone, as they require you to focus on something close-up while the boat is moving. Strong smells, stuffy spaces, and engine exhaust fumes can also trigger seasickness, so make sure to get plenty of fresh air. Greasy, high-fat, and sugary foods can also contribute to that queasy feeling, so stick to bland, light foods like pretzels, plain bread, and saltine crackers.

Finally, remember that sometimes the best cure for seasickness is time. Many people find that they eventually get acclimated to the sea, so if you're prone to seasickness, don't give up on boating altogether. The more you expose yourself to it, the more your body may adapt and develop its "sea legs."

Avoid other seasick people, as motion sickness is contagious

Motion sickness is highly contagious, so one sure-fire way to get seasick is to watch other people getting sick. Like a schoolyard cold, motion sickness is very contagious. Avoid other seasick people at all costs.

If you're prone to seasickness, try to avoid travelling with people who are susceptible to it. If you're travelling in a group, it's a good idea to ask in advance whether anyone tends to get motion sickness. If you're on a boat, try to stay away from the middle of the boat, where people are most likely to get sick.

If you start to feel seasick, it's important to remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. Go to the bathroom, or find a quiet place to sit down. If you can't get away from the person who is seasick, try to focus on something else, like looking at the horizon or listening to music.

It's also a good idea to avoid talking about motion sickness, as this can make it more likely that you'll experience it yourself. Try to keep the conversation light and positive, and avoid any mention of seasickness or other types of motion sickness.

If you know you're going to be travelling with someone who is prone to motion sickness, it's a good idea to prepare in advance. Make sure you have some over-the-counter motion sickness medication with you, as well as some ginger or ginger ale, which can help to settle the stomach.

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