If you’ve ever gotten motion sickness, you know how debilitating it can be. The nausea and stomach upset can easily take any enjoyment out of the activity you are experiencing and may even cause you to avoid travel or other activities that cause motion sickness. What’s important to know is that everyone experiences this type of sickness to some degree in their lives but it varies widely between individuals. It can also change throughout your life. For instance, you may not experience it at all when you are young, but start getting the symptoms later on in life.

Here is what you need to know about the causes of motion sickness and how to avoid it so it doesn’t dictate your life and cause you to miss out on fun experiences.

What Causes It?

Motion sickness happens when the brain receives different messages from the different sensory systems regarding movement. It can also be caused by an inner ear problem such as vertigo. Though everyone can experience motion sickness to a certain extent, a genetic predisposition can make it worse, as can activities like reading or looking at a screen while in motion, taking certain medications, and migraines.

While you can get motion sickness at any time in your life, some experts say it peaks between the ages of seven and twelve and tends to decline during adulthood and old age. However, others report they did not experience motion sickness at all as a child but that they now have it as an adult.

How Can You Avoid It?

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to avoid motion sickness or to treat the symptoms of it when they occur. They include:

• Choose where you sit. If you tend to get motion sickness when traveling, make sure you choose your seat wisely. In a car, try to be the driver or sit in the passenger seat rather than in the back. Flying? Try to book a seat above the wing. If you’re on a boat, finding a seat or a room mid-ship is your best bet. No matter the mode of transportation, make sure you’re always facing forward.
• Stay hydrated and put something healthy in your stomach.
• Avoid alcohol or smoking on your trip.
• Don’t read or look at any type of screen while you’re in motion.
• If you’re able to, get a little fresh air if you start to feel motion sickness.
• Lean your head back against the headrest to stabilize it.
• Chat with your companions to distract your brain from the motion.
• Take either over-the-counter or prescription motion sickness medications. If you’re on a long journey, such as a cruise, consider motion sickness patches or acupressure armbands that can provide continuous treatment.

Motion Sickness: Knowing the Facts

Everyone experiences motion sickness, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it ruin your travels. When you know what causes it and how to avoid it, you can take the steps needed to keep feeling great and enjoying your adventures no matter how you have to get there.