It can be difficult to enjoy a cruise or boat ride if symptoms of sea sickness arise. When the inner ear, eyes, and other areas of the body responsible for detecting motion fail to work in unison, they send conflicting messages to the brain. The result is nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and general malaise that can ruin an otherwise wonderful trip. If you begin experiencing any of the above symptoms on a boat, try following these tips.

Method 1: Preventing Seasickness
1. Take medication: Start taking oral medication 24 hours in advance or as directed by your physician. That way, the medicine will already have taken affect when you board. Transderm Scop, a scopolamine patch applied behind the ear eight hours before exposure, can last up to three days. However, it is only available by prescription and must be used as method of prevention, not treatment.
2. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water and a mild juice or sports drink before your journey. Dehydration can exacerbate the symptoms of seasickness.
3. Eat mild, starchy foods: Avoid eating heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods or consuming excessive alcohol before your trip. These foods may worsen seasickness in some people. Try eating bananas, rice, applesauce, or toast instead.

Method 2: Treating Seasickness
1. Keep hydrated: Drinking water, diluted sports drinks, or flat ginger ale can help to ease your symptoms.
2. Avoid strong odors: Sometimes a whiff of something strong can cause a bout of nausea. Stay away from the kitchen area if possible.
3. Stay near the middle of the vessel: The middle has less motion than the bow or stern, so try to find a comfortable spot to relax and breathe deeply.
4. Look at the horizon: Keeping your eyes on the horizon can help your brain recognize the stillness. This sends a signal to the inner ear, allowing it to regain balance and the feeling of seasickness to subside. If you cannot see the horizon from your location, close your eyes. This will relieve the conflict between your eyes and inner ear.
5. Apply acupressure to the inside of your wrist:Motion sickness bands apply pressure to the median nerve, located in the wrist. Pressing on this nerve can alleviate symptoms. Bands can be purchased over the counter, but you can just apply pressure on your own if you don’t have one on hand.
6. Press on your ear openings with your index fingers: The increased pressure inside your ears slows down the fluid in your inner ear, which in turn reduces the feeling of unsteadiness.
7. Lie down on your side with your head towards the bow: Pointing your head in the direction of motion and lying down can help calm feelings of nausea and excessive movement.
8. Eat ginger, peppermint, or basil: Whether you consume them in the form of tea or solid food, the smell or taste of these herbs can ease nausea. Taking small and frequent sips of ginger ale can work wonders.
9. Take medication: Over-the-counter medications such as Bonine or Benadryl can also work to treat seasickness. However, unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness may occur.
10. Don’t think about seasickness!: It may seem impossible, but try not to think about your symptoms. Staying as active as possible and keeping your mind occupied can work just as well as any other method.

We wish you a symptom-free journey, but should seasickness arise, remember these helpful tips. Happy travels!