7 Effective Ways to Overcome Motion Sickness When Solo Backpacking

Traveling alone for some “me time” is definitely an exciting plan. But what if you’re someone who often experiences motion sickness during trips? Are there effective ways for solo backpackers to deal with motion sickness so you can stay comfortable and make the most of your vacation?

According to an article on halodoc.com, motion sickness is a condition where someone feels uncomfortable while traveling, whether by car, bus, plane, train, or ship. This can happen to anyone regardless of age and may even persist into old age.

If you’ve already planned a solo backpacking trip, this is clearly something you need to manage well for a smooth journey. So, together with PT AXA Insurance Indonesia (AXA Insurance), let’s take a closer look at the ways to overcome motion sickness for you, the solo backpacker ready to explore Indonesia!

What Triggers Motion Sickness?

To understand what might trigger motion sickness, you first need to know a bit about the anatomy of the head. Humans have a balance regulator located in the inner ear and the cerebellum. When the body moves or is in a certain position, this system works by sending signals to the brain and inner ear.

When traveling in a vehicle, this system is still active. However, people who experience motion sickness have more sensitive sensors and cannot properly process all the signals they receive.
As a result, they feel nauseous, dizzy, and generally unwell during travel—symptoms commonly recognized as motion sickness.

Several other factors also play a role in triggering motion sickness, including:

Having inner ear disorders
Experiencing hormonal changes
A history of motion sickness or vertigo
Suffering from migraines
Reading books or using gadgets during the trip

In addition to these factors, motion sickness can also be worsened by certain foods and drinks. For example, heavy fatty meals, spicy and strong-smelling foods, and foods with high levels of artificial sweeteners.

As for drinks, it’s best to avoid caffeinated beverages, alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, and acidic drinks if you don’t want your motion sickness to get worse.

How to Overcome Motion Sickness When Solo Backpacking

As a solo backpacker, you’ll need to handle any issues on your own including motion sickness during your trip. That’s why it’s important to know effective ways to manage motion sickness so your adventure isn’t disrupted by this problem.

1. Eat and Drink the Right Things

Certain foods are believed to help reduce motion sickness. These include dried fruits, bananas, ginger, wholewheat bread, and sour-tasting fruits.

Each of these has properties or nutrients that can prevent vomiting or relieve nausea, while restoring essential minerals and nutrients in your body.

2. Distract Yourself

Another way to manage motion sickness is by finding distractions. A study titled Effectiveness of music intervention on postoperative nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Peri Anesthesia Nursing suggests that listening to music can help prevent nausea symptoms.
No wonder many people play music or listen through headphones to divert their attention.

3. Sit Facing Forward

Choose a seat that faces the direction of travel. This helps reduce the sensory conflict between your vision and inner ear one of the main triggers of motion sickness. Though simple, this method is proven to be quite effective.

4. Turn On the AC or Open a Window

If your mode of transport allows, turn on the air conditioning and direct it toward you to ease dizziness or nausea. Alternatively, open the window to get fresh air from outside. Exposure to outside air helps your senses better process the feeling of movement.

5. Avoid Using Gadgets

Reading or playing on gadgets can worsen motion sickness. This disrupts the sensory connection between your inner ear and eyes, making dizziness and nausea more severe.

6. Use Aromatherapy

This method can also be effective. You can use essential oils or pure peppermint aromatherapy to relieve motion sickness. Some people use medicated oils by inhaling the scent or applying it near the nose.

7. Choose the Right Mode of Transportation

Some people only experience motion sickness with certain types of transport—such as cars, buses, trains, planes, or boats. That’s why it’s important to identify which mode works best for you or has the lowest risk of triggering motion sickness.

Transportation Modes to Minimize Motion Sickness

In addition to applying the tips mentioned earlier, you can also choose transportation modes with the lowest risk of triggering motion sickness. Since motion sickness is essentially caused by sensory disorientation, here is the ranking of public transportation from the lowest to the highest risk:

Train – Its movement is relatively smooth and stable, and you can enjoy a consistent view outside.
Airplane – Although takeoff and landing involve some turbulence, this mode is generally very stable during flight.
Car and Bus – Both depend heavily on road conditions, the driver’s skill, and your seating position.
Ship – This is the most likely to cause motion sickness, as the rocking motion influenced by currents is more noticeable compared to other modes of transport.

Don’t Forget to Complete Your Adventure with Travel Insurance

After learning how to manage motion sickness, you should also be aware of protecting your journey. The right solution is Travel Insurance, a product that provides coverage for your trip and yourself during solo backpacking.

Travel insurance generally offers protection against personal accidents, medical expenses, and travel inconveniences. One reliable product is SmartTravel Insurance, which provides comprehensive coverage.

AXA Insurance Indonesia’s travel insurance covers flight delays, cancellations, risks of lost baggage and personal belongings, as well as health conditions during your trip. This insurance can also be used for family trips when you travel together in the future.

That’s a brief explanation of several ways to overcome motion sickness that you can try. AXA Insurance Indonesia understands the risks of discomfort during travel, which is why it offers its trusted product, SmartTravel Insurance, for you to use. You can read the full coverage details in the latest Ripley link provided—and let’s plan a more exciting holiday with AXA Insurance Indonesia!

Reference:

https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/ini-9-cara-ampuh-untuk-mengatasi-mabuk-perjalanan?srsltid=AfmBOopZ9hv4nA00Y5cHpQBiILLkmXI99UZ7K6GZ-a_BqJukRA6yJvOp
https://www.siloamhospitals.com/informasi-siloam/artikel/cara-mengatasi-mabuk-perjalanan
https://www.sidomunculstore.com/blog/post/13-cara-mengatasi-mabuk-perjalanan-dan-cara-mencegahnya.html?srsltid=AfmBOorIwwfJy0HDsp74me6m0JFYVpPL_LEL9OA4FpGDxmq0rF28Qo6x
https://www.joglowisata.com/10-tips-wisata-naik-bus-anti-mabuk-yang-jarang-orang-tahu.htm
https://www.traveloka.com/id-id/explore/destination/10-cara-agar-tidak-mabuk-di-mobil-gt/510487
https://www.rspondokindah.co.id/id/news/makanan-untuk-mabuk-perjalanan
https://www.detik.com/jatim/berita/d-7839356/14-tips-mudik-nyaman-menggunakan-transportasi-umum
https://auto2000.co.id/berita-dan-tips/cara-mengatasi-mabuk-perjalanan-tanpa-obat-tips
https://www.alodokter.com/ini-penyebab-mabuk-perjalanan-dan-cara-mengatasinya
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12782-motion-sickness

7 Effective Ways to Overcome Motion Sickness When Solo Backpacking

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