Is the only way you can travel comfortably on foot? Seasickness, nausea, and dizziness are far from pleasant, but a tendency toward motion sickness is no reason to deny yourself the joy of an amazing holiday at sea!
Let’s look at how to help your body prepare for the journey and manage any uncomfortable symptoms.
- Train your vestibular system regularly. Continuous, year-round work in your daily life makes a big difference. You might not even realize it, but whenever you skateboard, snowboard, roller-skate, ice-skate, do morning exercises, go for a run, play active games with kids or colleagues, jump on a trampoline, visit a shooting range, or swim in a pool—you are training your vestibular system. All of this boosts your resilience against seasickness. An active lifestyle is everything!
- Mindset matters immensely. Psychologists emphasize that you shouldn’t prime yourself for negativity or assume you will definitely get sick. Everything will be fine! 🙂
- Don’t travel on an empty stomach, but it’s best to refrain from heavy meals and alcohol.
- Spend more time in the fresh air during the trip, which is effortless to do on a yacht! 🙂 At the first mild signs of motion sickness, try focusing on birds in flight or distant landmarks along the horizon.
- Ginger and lemon work wonders. Try chewing small pieces periodically instead of gum. Foods with bright, distinct flavors—salty, sour, or bitter (but not spicy!)—will be your best allies. Think dark chocolate, fresh vegetables, fruit, certain nuts, and light snacks. Stock up on sour hard candies! 🙂
- Always look forward in the direction of travel, even if you are standing at the stern.
- Wipe your neck, face, and temples with a cool, damp towel. Doing this about once an hour is usually enough, though in warm tropical climates, it feels refreshing anytime! 🙂
- Visit a pharmacy before departure. Modern pharmaceuticals offer a wide selection of remedies. Options like Kinedryl, Dramine, Bonine chewables, and homeopathic remedies like Cocculine or Avia-Marine are widely used. Pharmacists may also recommend acupressure motion-sickness wristbands. When choosing medication, check for drowsiness side effects—you don’t want to sleep through your entire vacation!
- Increase your fluid intake 1–2 weeks prior to the trip (provided there are no medical contraindications) and eliminate alcohol.
- Reduce or remove carbonated drinks from your diet. Instead, add vitamin-rich foods and lemon tea to your daily routine.
- Drink still mineral water while traveling.
- Sip fluids frequently in small amounts.
Have a wonderful trip!
