Motion Sickness: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Its Causes and Offering Effective Remedies
Motion sickness occurs when our brain struggles to synchronize the various sensory signals it receives. During travel, our senses, including our eyes, ears, and body, experience conflicting motion cues.
For instance, while our eyes perceive the rapid change of scenery outside, our inner ears and body sense stability within the vehicle. This contradiction confuses the brain, resulting in symptoms like dizziness and nausea.
To prevent motion sickness, it’s crucial to help our brain adapt to these sensory changes and minimize sensory conflicts. Engaging our sense of smell and taste can aid in this process.
Traditional Remedies for Motion Sickness
Orange and Tangerine Peels
The peels of oranges and tangerines contain citric acid and volatile essential oils. These compounds stimulate saliva production, enhance stomach acid, and promote digestion, thereby alleviating discomfort. When motion sickness strikes, inhaling the aroma of orange or tangerine peels can help modulate the brain’s processing of motion cues, reducing sensory conflicts and soothing symptoms.
This method is not only convenient but also safe and free from side effects. Orange and tangerine peels are easily accessible in our daily lives, and you can simply keep the peels when eating these fruits to carry with you on the go.
Mentholated Oil
Mentholated oil is an effective remedy for motion sickness due to its natural essential oils, including peppermint, eucalyptus, and clove oils. These oils emit a pleasant fragrance that stimulates the nerves, uplifting the spirit and reducing motion sickness symptoms.
Applying a small amount of mentholated oil to your forehead or temples can provide relief. The refreshing scent helps ease discomfort, and this method also alleviates headaches and clears nasal congestion, making it a practical and convenient solution.
Additional Factors to Consider
Apart from traditional remedies, there are several effective measures to prevent and minimize motion sickness.
Choose a Strategic Seating Position
Opting for a seat near the front of the vehicle is ideal, as this area experiences less jostling and reduces the likelihood of dizziness. This choice minimizes the conflict between bodily movement and external visuals, enhancing your overall comfort. Avoid sitting by windows or aisles, as these spots provide a clear view of the passing scenery, increasing visual stimulation and sensory conflicts.
Maintain a Stable Head Position
Refrain from bending down to read or using your phone, and minimize your gaze towards fast-moving objects outside the window. This reduces visual stimulation and conflicts between sensory inputs. Instead, focus on static objects like seats or the ceiling, or simply close your eyes to maintain stability between visual and bodily sensations. If you need to read or use your phone, opt for light and straightforward content to avoid distracting your bodily senses.
Ensure Good Ventilation
Fresh air improves breathing, provides oxygen, and reduces dizziness. Strong scents like gasoline can irritate the stomach and trigger nausea. On the other hand, pleasant aromas like pineapple or coffee can stimulate the sense of smell, prompting the brain to release feel-good chemicals that improve mood and bodily state.
Divert Your Attention
Shifting your focus can alleviate motion sickness discomfort, allowing your brain to concentrate on other things and reducing sensory conflicts. Listening to music, engaging in conversations, or simply closing your eyes and relaxing can help reduce stress and discomfort.