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How To Overcome Motion Sickness on Your Next Cruise

It’s not uncommon to develop some type of motion sickness when on a cruise. That can be pretty frustrating when you are supposed to be relaxing and having fun! Although it does happen to many people, the good news is that there are ways you can prevent it. Then enjoy a worry-free vacation!When you’re out at sea, it can be hard to leave the deck because you know that if you stop looking at the horizon, your body may revolt against the movement of the waves…NO FUN! Motion sickness on a cruise ship can be incredibly uncomfortable!Here are some tips on dealing with motion sickness while on a cruise so you can focus on having fun!

What Causes Motion Sickness?

A common misconception is vision problems cause that motion sickness. While it can be exacerbated by looking at moving objects, it’s not caused by that vision problem. The real culprit is an imbalance in what your senses are telling your brain: The inner ear tells you your body is moving (or stationary), but your eyes tell you that everything around you looks like it’s standing still (or moving).

This is why many people who can’t handle looking at their phones while in a car tend to get motion sickness while on a cruise!

I didn’t really think I would get motion sickness on my cruise since most amusement park rides and cars do not give me motion sickness. To be on the safe side I did pack and prepare for the possibility though. I am so glad I did. I was in a theater when the ship took off and I look drunk trying to walk out of the theater.

What Are The Symptoms Of Motion Sickness?

Before you can start overcoming motion sickness, you need to know what it is and how it typically presents itself. Check out these common motion sickness symptoms:

  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Cold sweat
  • Nausea
  • Pale skin
  • Fast breathing
  • Not being able to concentrate
  • Headache

Preventing and Overcoming Motion Sickness Tips

Preparing for your trip is probably more important than anything else you can do to fight motion sickness. 

Sleep Good

Going on a vacation is extremely exciting, and many of us struggle with being able to get proper sleep before leaving. However, getting lots of good rest before leaving for your trip is vital! Being overly tired significantly affects how your body reacts and can make you more likely to develop motion sickness. 

Do whatever you need to allow yourself a good night’s sleep. Fluff your pillow, take a relaxing bath, or listen to some soothing tunes. You’ll thank yourself later! 

Don’t Skip Meals

Whether you are nervous or rushed, it’s essential to continue to eat. It’s best not to consume large meals but several small snacks/meals every few hours. Don’t let yourself get over hungry; keeping snacks on hand is a great way to keep your stomach settled. 

Choose The Right Food

While eating is essential, what you eat is even more important! Don’t fill up on a bunch of greasy, spicy foods, or you may pay the price later. Instead, choose light and healthy foods, like a chicken wrap, yogurt, or fresh fruit. 

The same thing goes for alcohol. Alcohol can cause dehydration which will increase the odds of seasickness. I’m not saying to give up all alcohol on your vacation, but try to limit the number of drinks you have. 

Bring Meds To Help

Many different medicines are available to help ward off motion sickness. You can visit your doctor about your concerns, and they may prescribe you something helpful. Or you can go to your pharmacy to pick up some over-the-counter seasickness meds. Take them before you even get on the cruise ship! Those meds will normally take 20-30 minutes to begin working. So if you wait, you may already feel pretty sick, and they won’t work as well. Take them as needed while on the trip. 

Say “No” To Your Phone

You are on vacation…you shouldn’t be worried about what’s happening at the office or on social media networks! Reading books or playing games on your phone is a big trigger for seasickness. Instead, check out the things going on around you or simply close your eyes and relax. 

Keep An Eye On The Horizon

Watching the horizon and keeping your eyes on one object or spot. This will help reacclimate your eyes and mind to help your equilibrium. Plus, the horizon is beautiful, so you might as well take it all in while on your cruise. 

Center of the Ship

The cruise ship’s edges will be more rigorous and move more. Instead, head to the boat’s center because the middle doesn’t move around so much and will feel more stable and stationary. I am so glad my cabin was midship. If you are prone to motion sickness, as your travel planner I would help you pick out the best cabin for your needs.

If you’ve been worried about sea sickness for your next cruise, you can rest assured that there are many things you can do to avoid feeling ill during your next cruise. Make some simple changes in your daily routine and take a few precautions before you set sail; you can ensure that your vacation is as joyful and relaxing as possible.

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Thank You for Spreading the Pixie Dust!