10 tips to beat motion-sickness

Does the very thought of travelling by car, bus or train make you nervous and sick? You are not alone. Thousands of people suffer from motion-sickness. It is a common phenomenon and might also be hereditary.

When we travel by road or rail, our eyes capture things around us that seem to be moving very fast, adding to the strain we are feeling. Here are a few tips to make your journey a little easier.

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Keep your eyes at far-off places and things. The things closer to us seem to be moving too fast, which confuses the mind and leads to headache. So look far.
Face the direction you are travelling in. If you sit in the direction opposite to your travel, it will only increase the discomfort.
Sit in the front seat beside the driver. That way you will be able to see the road ahead and know if there are any potholes or bends coming up.
Keep your stomach half-empty. Don't stuff yourself crazy just before leaving home for the trip. Have a slice of bread, biscuits or a fruit. In short, keep it light.
Any sort of strong smell like fried snacks or robust perfume or even the smell of petrol can aggravate sickness. So avoid taking in strong odors; keep your nose covered if you need to.
Do not consume alcohol before or during the journey. Alcohol immediately mixes with blood and creates uneasiness.
Do not read while travelling, even though reading is a good way to kill time. Our eyes move from side to side quickly while reading. Besides, the fast-moving scenes outside the car are also caught from the corner of the eyes, putting more strain on mind.
Watching thrilling, fast-paced or violent movies on the bus or train might not be a good idea for those suffering from motion-sickness. On the other hand, some people forget their discomfort while watching a good movie. So learn from your experience and decide what suits you.
For chronic sickness, doctors advise anti-histamine tablets. But such medicines should be taken only on doctor's recommendation and need to be taken an hour before starting your journey. The tablets need time to mix with blood and show result.
If possible, drive the car yourself. Driving requires a lot of concentration and that will take your mind away from feelings of sickness and giddiness.

What is important is to look forward to the trip with a positive attitude. If you get nervous and think of throwing up even before commencing the journey, you will surely feel sick. So take it easy, close your eyes, take a deep breath and have a nice trip.