What To Do If You Get Sick On A Trip?

If there is one thing people dread when traveling, that will be getting sick during the whole trip. You either feel nauseous or your ears hurt while traveling by plane, train, boat, or car.

Travel or motion sickness is a common problem that anyone can suffer from, and it can be a traumatizing experience. Instead of enjoying the travel, you tend to keep yourself calm to avoid getting sick and making a mess. You also try not to disturb other passengers by going to and from the toilet. It’s even worse if you are traveling with your children. You have to tend to both your kids and yourself.

But hey! Don’t make travel sickness keep you from doing what you love. There are ways to ensure that you are traveling with a peace of mind and without getting sick. As peak season arrives, here are the dos and don’ts to help you prepare for your next trip.

Do’s

• Before traveling, eat a light meal like a sandwich or a wrap and drink lots of fluids. Water keeps you rehydrated while soda water keeps your stomach settled.
• If you usually get sick while traveling, choose to sit in front of the car to reduce motion. If you are traveling by boat, it is best to sit in the middle where it feels more stable.
• Focus on a fixed point on the horizon while breathing slowly.
• If possible, get some fresh air if you are traveling by car or boat. Open the windows of the car to let the fresh air in or go to the boat deck where you can enjoy the sea breeze.

• For long-hour trips, stretch your body, walk a few minutes especially when onboard a plane, or have regular stops if you are taking the car.
• Bring plain snacks like fruits or crackers. Foods or drinks with homeopathic properties like ginger, rosemary, or peppermint are recommended.
• For those who travel with children, it is best to prepare things that can keep kids busy. You can let them listen to their favorite music or play family car games.
• Avail of travel sickness remedies, which are available in different forms. There are travel wrist bands, patches, and tablets. But you should be careful with the tablets as they may contain Cinnarizine, which can affect your balance.
• Carry a cold pack just in case you’re having headaches.
• Sleep while traveling. It resets your balance and helps kill the time.

Don’ts

• Don’t consume alcoholic drinks before and traveling.
• Don’t eat heavy meals or spicy foods before and during traveling.
• Don’t look at moving objects like waves or cars.
• Don’t read, watch movies, or use electronic devices when traveling by car or boat.
• Don’t continue driving if you are about to get sick. Make a quick stop to the safe side of the road, then take a walk to get some air. It will help bring back your balance.

Final Reminder

Are those helpful tips? Well, however you want to travel or wherever you want to go, these simple reminders will make your trip more worthwhile. In addition to the tips, it is also important to avail of travel insurance with medical conditions before traveling. In cases when you encounter medical emergencies, the insurance will cover the medical expenses incurred during your travel. Better safe than sorry, right?