Six tricks to combat air travel sickness
If there’s one thing that's guaranteed to ruin a travel experience, it’s unexpected motion sickness, as there's nothing worse than feeling ill and not being able to escape until you land.
Experts at Travel Lens have shared their holy grail tips for people to do before and during their flights to help reduce air sickness travel symptoms.
Airsickness, otherwise known as motion sickness, is caused when the body receives conflicting information from the eyes, ears and muscles in regards to movement.
This confuses the brain, which can cause nausea, fatigue and dizziness.
"Air sickness is very common and with plenty of holidays still to come this year, it's important that people can enjoy them fully without the added stress of feeling ill on the plane," a spokesperson told 9Honey.
"For some people, sickness may be a persistent problem when travelling, but there are certain things that can be implemented to help ease any symptoms.”
"Whilst on the plane it's important to stay as calm as possible and by making small adjustments you can reduce the effects of airsickness."
Select your seat mindfully
Your position on a plane has a drastic effect on how much movement you can expect throughout your journey.
Typically the middle, the wing and closer to the front of the plane are the best places to sit as this is where the journey feels most stable.
Try to avoid the back of the plane as seats further back can be subject to more turbulence.
Put the book and screens down
While reading or watching is a great way to pass the time on a flight, focusing on these forms of entertainment can only exacerbate the feeling of motion sickness.
The best thing to do instead of reading or watching something is to try to relax and focus on breathing.
Avoid alcohol
Many people are inclined to indulge in an alcoholic drink on a plane, however the effects of drinking while travelling are often less than desirable.
Alcohol can dehydrate the body quickly and this can exacerbate symptoms, so it may be best to opt for a soda.
Wait until symptoms have completely subsided before you consider having a drink or until you land.
Use mint and ginger
Some studies have suggested consuming ginger before heading off on a flight can help to stop feelings of nausea.
Whether it's taken as a supplement, in raw form or even as a can of ginger beer, it's definitely worth a try.
The same can be said for peppermint, so taking a packet of breath mints in your carry-on is a must.
Choose your food wisely
While plane food is always a bit of a gamble, it's a good idea to eat before boarding.
Steer clear of greasy and spicy foods as these can unsettle an already nervous stomach.
And make sure you stay hydrated!
Get comfortable
Instead of staying upright for your whole flight, take advantage of a slight recline in your seats (just don’t forget to talk to the person sitting behind you first!)
Consider taking a travel pillow to ease the strain on the neck throughout the flight and put any unnecessary items in the overhead storage to ensure the most comfortable environment for dealing with any sickness symptoms.
Use the blankets provided and tune out any noise, and focus on deep breathing until you arrive safely at your destination.
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