Getting motion sickness is one of the most unpleasant experiences you can have while traveling. As you sit for long hours inside a coach bus, motion sickness may be inevitable, especially if the roads are particularly bumpy, filled with many twists and turns, or if you have a condition that causes you to be car sick.
Do you have an upcoming trip? Follow the tips we provided below to know how to avoid motion sickness on a bus and to make your trip an enjoyable experience for all.
What is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness is a common condition that occurs when you’re traveling, whether it be a car, a boat, a ship, train, plane, or any other vehicle in motion you can think of. When you get motion sickness, you feel dizzy, nauseated, and a feeling that you’re about to vomit. This sensation is best described as floating along in the ocean or a pool full of people. But this time, you’re not having fun.
Motion sickness more commonly affects children between 2 to 12 years old but can also affect just about anyone. Initially, the symptoms will be mild like simple lightheadedness. Eventually, it can get worse and worse until you vomit, which can lead to dehydration. Ultimately, your trip is ruined all because you got sick while in motion.
What Causes Motion Sickness?
People think that movement causes motion sickness. That is a wrong notion. Motion is only a trigger but not the root cause. Motion sickness is caused by your vestibular system being out of sync with each other. Your vestibular system is made up of your eyes (vision), inner ear (balance), and proprioception (body’s ability to sense and track movement).
Any conflicting message that occurs inside your body will cause you to feel dizzy, which then develops into nausea. One example of this is when you’re traveling on a charter bus. Your eyes can see movement and proprioception can sense movement but your sense of balance is out of whack, which causes bus sickness.
Tips to Avoid Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is no fun to have. When going on a trip, having bus travel sickness can truly put a damper on the excitement you’ve been having for the trip or destination. So before it happens to you, follow these tips on how to avoid nausea on a bus so you can enjoy your trip.
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Avoid Sitting at the Back
The back part of the bus can be torture for those who are prone to bus sickness. Motion is amplified at the rear side of the bus, which makes it harder to coordinate the movement of the bus with what you see. So if you’re always getting car sick every time you travel, be sure to sit in front or near the front of the bus, preferably close to the driver. This ensures that your body is less affected by the motion of the bus, giving you better coordination.
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Find a Distraction
Instead of focusing on the sickness you feel, take your mind off of it and instead do something that distracts you. Things like playing around on your phone, watching a movie on the onboard entertainment, or listening to music on your phone so you get lost in the music. Find something to keep your mouth busy like hard candy or chewing gum to relieve any nausea.
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Focus on Far Objects
Do you ever feel dizzy when you look at objects, animals, or people you pass by on a moving vehicle? You are not alone. Most people tend to feel nauseated when they look at objects near them because their vision can’t keep up with the motion of the bus. To make it easier for your eyes (and your head), you should instead look at objects on, say, the horizon to stabilize your perception of motion.
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Avoid Activities That Need Much Concentration
Concentrating on small things while on the bus is one of the worst things you can do on a moving vehicle. Things like reading, drawing, or threading a needle (a bit of a stretch, but you get my point) will almost always give you a headache while you travel. If you insist on reading, do it during stops so you don’t strain your eyes.
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Always Bring Drinks
Bring water, club soda, and/or Gatorade with you on the trip. Drinks help settle your stomach so you don’t have to vomit. But when you do vomit, drinks are necessary to replenish the electrolytes you lost so you avoid dehydration.
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Stay Cool and Ventilated
Breathing in fresh, cool air can help prevent or alleviate symptoms of motion sickness. That is why it’s important to choose a motorcoach that has comfort features like adjustable air conditioning that circulate air inside. During stops, be sure to step outside, stretch around, and breathe in plenty of fresh air so you don’t get car sick.
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Take a Nap
The best way to prevent or alleviate motion sickness is by taking a nap. Taking a nap allows your body to rest sitting comfortably in your seat, controlling your breathing while also taking away your vision. As you take away your vision, you also eliminate any contradiction that occurs between your vision and your inner ear.
Medication to Treat Motion Sickness
Are you already feeling car sick? Try these fast-acting solutions for quick relief.
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OTC Antihistamines
OTC drugs that contain dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or meclizine (Antivert) are effective in alleviating symptoms of motion sickness. Dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine are generally safe for children for up to two years, depending on the dosage. Speak to a licensed physician about safe dosage for children.
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Scopolamine
Scopolamine can either be taken as a pill or placed on the skin as a patch. Talk to your doctor about the dosage for the pill. When you’re prescribed a patch, however, place it behind your ears. The medication can provide motion sickness relief for up to three days. Do not let children near the patch as it may have an adverse effect on them due to its side effects.
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Promethazine
Promethazine is a popular drug used to treat motion sickness. It is quite powerful and can provide relief from vomiting by reducing signals that cause you to vomit. Talk to your doctor about the proper dosage to know about how to use promethazine to treat your motion sickness.
Conclusion
Getting motion sickness during a trip is no fun at all. When you’re sick during a trip, you won’t get a chance to enjoy the journey – and your travel mates won’t enjoy it either. Follow the tips given above to help you avoid getting car sick on your upcoming trip. If those don’t work, you can always use some medication to relieve your symptoms.
Chicago Motor Coach offers a pleasurable experience for you and your entire group as you travel. We are committed to your safety and comfort as you travel with us. Our drivers have been trained to drive safely and steadily to make sure you are safe and comfortable during your trip.