Do you regularly suffer from car sickness? Victims of being car sick typically experience a combination of the following symptoms while driving or riding in a car:
- Sweating
- Uneasiness
- Dizziness
- Pale skin
- Headache or fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Getting car sick can be such a frustrating condition, but there are ways to cope. Here are some things you can try the next time you feel car sickness coming on!
Help your brain shift focus
If you keep thinking about how sick you feel, you will probably continue feeling sick! Our brains can either help us feel worse or better, so steering your thoughts towards other things besides your car sickness can lessen your symptoms. You could also try listening to music or audiobooks. Talking on the phone or with whoever you are traveling with is another good way to distract yourself.
Harness the power of mint
Individuals who experience car sickness regularly often turn to peppermint/mint to prevent and minimize the symptoms of car sickness. Try chewing a piece of mint gum or rubbing a bit of peppermint oil (mixed with a carrier oil) behind your neck to alleviate nausea and prevent vomiting.
Maintain fresh air circulation
Oftentimes the smell of fast food or gasoline fumes can trigger a sick feeling in individuals prone to getting car sick. To prevent this, keep the windows down while passengers or you are eating so that air can circulate and get rid of the smell. Whenever traffic is heavy, the smell of gasoline tends to be stronger. So if there are a lot of vehicles on the road around you, keep the windows up and use the air conditioning to circulate air.
Other methods
Eating light and bland foods both before and during trips as well as staying hydrated can also help minimize the symptoms of car sickness. If your car sickness is not easily managed with the above methods, ask your doctor about motion sickness medications such as Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), deep breathing techniques, and other prevention strategies. While it’s possible to prevent car sickness, it may take some trial and error to find a solution that works for you. Of course, combining the coping techniques we’ve outlined here will most likely help; but as always, discuss your car sickness with your doctor first.