The Best Ways to Stop Sea Sickness – Natural and Pharmaceutical Remedies to Keep You Feeling Your Best at Sea

The last thing anyone wants when enjoying a catamaran or yacht journey is a bout of sea sickness. Fortunately, these great remedies can help you stay on top of this miserable ailment. Read on to find out more.

Get the Psychology Right

This might sound like a strange idea to begin with, but bear with us. Actually telling yourself that you do not get sea sick and that the symptoms are all imaginary can go a long way towards preventing this nasty maritime ailment.

In the same way that positive reinforcement helps us to foster beneficial habits, getting our psychology right can actually protect us against these negative physical effects.

Find Your Focus

Sea sickness is born from the movement of the boat on the ocean. The mind perceives this chaotic movement and responds by making us vomit. So how do we calm this chaos? By focusing on something static, like the horizon. This will help you to gradually bring your spinning head under control.

Make Friends with Your Senses

Overpowering smells have a habit of sending us over the edge, particularly if we are already feeling a little queasy. If you find yourself in the presence of any powerful odors – even pleasant ones – try to get some fresh air as quickly as you can.

Stay Away from Sea Sick People

Sea sickness can be contagious. If you start to notice people getting sea sick around you, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as you can. The sight, smell, and noise of vomiting might just tip you over the edge.

Eat Carefully

It goes without saying that we should eat right in order to avoid sickness, but when we are at sea, this advice is even more important. In fact, foods which you would usually consider to be safe to eat may even trigger your symptoms when that boat starts to rock.

Avoid foods which are high in fat, as this can cause the contents of the stomach to slosh around when the water gets rough. Similarly, foods which are high in sugar should be avoided where possible.

Chewing Can Be Helpful

Many people swear by chewing when trying to combat sea sickness, citing the repetitive action as calming and soothing. It does not work for everyone, but it may just do the trick for you. Just remember to choose a sugar-free variety.

Go Teetotal, at Least for the Moment

Many of us will have experienced the feeling of being queasy after drinking a little too much alcohol, and most of us will have a strong understanding of our limits. However, when you are at sea, all of this can go out of the window.

It is unwise – not to mention illegal – to pilot a boat while under the influence of alcohol, but even if you are not in charge and you find yourself an opportunity to have a drink, avoid it. Drinking can quickly lead to sea sickness, so perhaps keep the bottle corked until you return to port.

Try the Old Sailor Techniques

Old sailor remedies have been tried and tested by generations of sea-goers, so they are worth considering.

Eating saltines and drinking lime juice are said to calm the stomach when the waters start getting heavy. Some sailors also swear by ginger – taken either in a tea or eaten directly – and there is some evidence to suggest that this works as a motion sickness remedy.

Other cures passed down between generations of sailors include drinking apricot or carrot juice,

Essential Oils are Your Ally

Invest in a fine mist sprayer and bring along a diluted mix of distilled water and essential oils to calm the sensation of sea sickness when they begin. Lemon oil, cedar wood oil, and lavender oil are perfect for this. Just a add a few drops to the water and spray for a calming, gentle aroma.

Distract Yourself with Conversation

Being sociable on board is a great defense against the symptoms of sickness. Strike up a conversation and you will find that you are distracted from the rocking and bobbing motion. Distraction is key here, and you might just make a new friend or strengthen an existing relationship in the process.

Get Some Sleep

Being well rested strengthens the body and helps keep illness at bay. Get a good night’s rest before you sail and snatch forty winks when you can to optimize your resistance to sea sickness.

Consider Your Breathing

If you feel sickly on land, deep breathing can help to put this right. Adopt the same technique when you are out on the waves, and give your lungs a healthy dose of sea air when ever you can.

Take care of Your Ears

You might not associate the ears with sea sickness, but the inner ear is very important for balance and for maintaining a clear head. Keep your ears clean and you may find the symptoms of sickness are alleviated.

Medicate

Medication such as dramamine and bonine are effective over the counter remedies for sea sickness. Take these sparingly and always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. You may also be able to get anti motion sickness wristbands, anti histamines, and anxiety medication which can also have an effect.

Take Control

If you are traveling on your own boat or renting a yacht in San Diego, take the opportunity to take the wheel and steer the boat yourself. Just like you don’t get car sick when you are driving, it is less likely that you will become a victim of sea sickness if you are at the helm.

Changing your course may also help. If you are stuck in the same rocking wave pattern, changing course will mix things up a bit and may help to alleviate your symptoms.

Want to learn more about catamaran charters in San Diego on the Adventuress Luxury Catamaran for your next trip? Need expert tips for the next time you head out on the sea? Get in touch with our team today.