Prevention’s Quick Fix: 7 Easy cures for car sickness

Nothing can dampen the fun of a long family car trip like a bout of nausea. Curvy country roads, stop-and-go traffic for miles, and seemingly endless hours in the car can all induce that unpleasant, queasy feeling in your stomach. Sidestep any tummy troubles while in route with these seven natural tips.

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1. Keep Your Eyes Steady
Car-ride queasiness often occurs when your brain and body cannot agree if you're moving or not. (For example, you're sitting stationary in your seat but at the same time you're moving forward.) Focusing on a steady point in the distance will allow your eyes to see that you are indeed going forward, matching the movement that your body feels and keeping you from getting dizzy. Try and pick a specific object in the distance to gaze at like a large tree or building, if there's nothing in particular that catches your eye: Focus on the horizon.

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2. Pick the Best Seat in the House
If you are prone to feeling sick in the car, opt to sit shotgun, where you have a clear view of the road ahead (and can easily look out onto the horizon). Backside facing seats will often make you feel extra queasy since you're moving in the opposite direction.

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3. Crack a Window
Fresh air may be all you need to calm your stomach troubles. If you're on the highway: Crack a window slightly and let fresh air soothe you if you start feeling sick.

4. Eat a Light Meal
Avoid going out for a big Mexican chow-down before a long car ride. Large, fatty, spicy, or greasy meals can sit in your stomach like a rock and make you more prone to feeling uncomfortable. Don't head out on your trek on an empty stomach either: a light meal and simple carbs, like a salad and crackers are just what the doctor order. You should also drink plenty of water.

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5. Apply Pressure
Acupressure is an ancient Asian practice of using your fingers to gradually apply pressure to certain spots on the body in order to heal various ailments. To stop nausea, apply tension to the P-6 acupressure point, located above the wrist on the inner forearm. A simple fix:  Try wearing a BioBand if you experience carsickness often. There is a bead sewn into the wristband that applies a constant pressure to this specific point, alleviating feelings of motion sickness. (http://www.biobands.com/order.htm, $11.95)

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6. Suck on Ginger Candy
Ginger is a powerhouse antioxidant when it comes to calming an upset stomach. The herb blocks the effects of serotonin, a chemical produced by both the brain and stomach when you're nauseated. Its also clinically proven to work: A 500 mg dose of ginger was as effective as Dramamine, the commonly used OTC motion-sickness medication. To reap the tranquil tummy effects, suck on ginger candy.

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7. Pass the Peppermint
Peppermint has been used throughout history to stifle feelings of motion sickness and nausea. You could stash a few peppermint candies in the car, sip on peppermint tea during the ride, or you could even use aromatherapy to keep nausea at bay: Dab a few drops of peppermint oil on a tissue and inhale the aroma whenever you start to feel sick. 

Tell us: What do you bring on long car rides?

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