We’ve got the best ways to combat travel sickness this summer, from natural remedies to 34p backpack snacks.
Searches for ‘motion sickness cures’ start to peak in July each year, with searches for ‘how to cure seasickness’ spiking by 23% in the last three months.
With the cruising season in full swing, we’re revealing the best tips and tricks to combat seasickness, for anyone taking to the seas this summer on a cruise liner, or even a small boat trip.
According to MedlinePlus(.gov)1, one in three people are highly susceptible to motion sickness. The constant movement at sea and lack of visual reference points (which help the brain reconcile what it’s feeling with what it can see) means that those who already suffer from motion sickness are even more affected.
Thankfully, there’s several natural remedies for seasickness, which range from snacking on olives, to putting pressure on the divot in between your nose and your lips. Lydia Crispin has uncovered some of the easiest and most effective.
How can travellers reduce seasickness this summer?
1. The Power of Peppermint
“There are many natural remedies which can be found at home in your cupboards or most definitely along your travels to help alleviate motion and sea sickness, starting with peppermint oil. Peppermint has muscle relaxing properties which can alleviate stomach cramps and reduce sickness. It can be used in various forms, such as inhaling peppermint scented oils, applying it topically to the wrists or behind the ears, or sipping on a refreshing peppermint tea.”
2. The Perfect Combo of Lemon & Ginger
“If the taste or smell of peppermint isn’t for you, you could instead opt for a lemon or ginger water or tea, which is also a great remedy for seasickness, consumed by both smelling and drinking. The scent of lemon has a refreshing and calming effect, which helps to reduce nausea as well as keeping you hydrated. In fact, the sour taste can help distract you from any feelings of an upset stomach. It is believed that ginger, taken in small doses, can be an anti-nausea spice which can help settle the stomach and prevent the feeling of sickness.
“If you’re not a tea drinker and prefer to keep consuming hot drinks to a minimum, swallowing your own saliva can also help reduce the feeling of motion sickness by maintaining normal stomach motility. As you continue to swallow, it will reduce the amount of saliva that might otherwise be overwhelming in your mouth, due to feeling sick.”
3. Pack-A-Snack
“Believe it or not, snacking when feeling nauseous can be a very helpful way to calm this horrible feeling. In particular, salty snacks such as salted popcorn, pretzels, crackers or rice cakes which can all fall under the cost of £5, can help to balance electrolytes to help hydration as well as binge a distraction from feeling unwell.
“A great healthy snack to curb these feelings of nausea are green apples, costing as little as 34 pence, they can help to neutralise stomach acid and reduce the sensation of being sick. Their tartness can also distract from the nauseous feeling.
“Lastly, olives are a great snack to settle your stomach as they help to dry out the mouth and prevent excess saliva, a common reason for vomiting. The salty and distinctive taste is also a great distraction.”
4. Preparation is Key
“It’s important to anticipate travel sickness and therefore it is best to come prepared. Interestingly, a hat with a brim reduces sensitivity by blocking out bright light and reducing any eye or head strain, which can exacerbate motion sickness. Not only should you be avoiding direct sunlight to the eyes but also any extra screen time on mobile devices that is not necessary, should be avoided when possible.”
5. The Pressure Hack
The final quick and easy tip that Lydia recommends is “Applying pressure to the divot of your nose, also known as the philtrum, to relieve any pressure and stimulate nerve endings in the area, which can send signals to the brain to release certain neurotransmitters that can help remove any sickness feeling. It might sound odd, but it can definitely help!”
Travelling around the world to exotic and breathtaking locations is a desire that many of us have. From cruising around the Mediterranean to flying overseas, it’s one of the joys of life, but for many can also bring with it anxieties around motion sickness.
Whether you’re easily susceptible to motion sickness or occasionally feel your stomach turn, this feeling can be a horrible one to encounter and is something we would all much prefer to avoid.
We understand that for many, the idea of heading overseas can seem daunting due to the process of getting there, but as our tips have pointed out, some preparation in advance as well as some simple foods or drinks, can help settle things sooner than you might think!
Visit our Cruise Travel Insurance page for more information about cruise travel, and what’s covered.
