Traveling by Plane? Beat Airsickness with These Tips

Understanding Airsickness

Airsickness is a form of motion sickness triggered by the unique environment of air travel—turbulence, pressure changes, and limited movement. Knowing what causes airsickness can help you prevent and manage symptoms.

"I used to dread flying, but these tips made a huge difference for me." — Real User

Prevention and Relief Tips

There are many ways to prevent and relieve airsickness, from choosing the right seat to using sound therapy. The key is to find what works best for you and be prepared before your flight.

• • Choose a seat over the wing for less motion
• • Stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals
• • Use sound therapy or relaxation techniques
• • Bring ginger chews or acupressure bands

What Is Airsickness and Why Does It Happen?

Airsickness is a form of motion sickness triggered by air travel. It occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals from your senses—specifically, your inner ear, eyes, and muscles—about whether you're moving or stationary. Your inner ear, which helps maintain balance, detects the plane's motion, vibrations, or turbulence, while your eyes, focused on the static cabin interior, suggest you're still. This sensory mismatch confuses your brain, leading to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, headaches, and, in severe cases, vomiting.

Turbulence, a common trigger, exacerbates airsickness because it creates unpredictable movements that intensify the sensory conflict. Rapid altitude changes or pressure drops during takeoff, landing, or turbulent conditions can also contribute, as these affect your inner ear's balance sensors. For some, stress or anxiety about flying can amplify these symptoms, making airsickness feel even worse.

While anyone can experience airsickness, certain factors increase susceptibility: a history of motion sickness, lack of sleep, dehydration, or consuming heavy meals, alcohol, or caffeine before flying. Understanding these triggers is the first step to managing them effectively.

Practical Tips to Beat Airsickness

Here are evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage airsickness, ensuring a more comfortable flight:

1. Choose the Right Seat

Where you sit on the plane can significantly impact how much motion you feel. Seats over the wings, near the plane's center of gravity, experience the least turbulence, making them ideal for motion-sensitive travelers. Window seats are also helpful, as they allow you to focus on the horizon—a fixed point that helps your brain reconcile sensory inputs. Book these seats in advance when possible to reduce motion perception.

Pro Tip: If seats over the wings aren't available, opt for a spot near the front of the plane, which is generally more stable than the rear.

2. Stay Hydrated and Eat Light

Heavy, greasy, or spicy meals can upset your stomach and worsen airsickness. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you and heighten nausea. Instead, eat small, bland snacks like crackers or dry toast before and during your flight. Sip water or caffeine-free drinks like ginger ale to stay hydrated and settle your stomach.

Why It Works: A hydrated body and a calm stomach are less likely to react to motion triggers. Ginger, a natural anti-nausea remedy, can also help—try ginger chews or tea before boarding.

3. Focus on the Horizon or Close Your Eyes

Looking at a distant, fixed point like the horizon helps align your visual and inner ear signals, reducing sensory conflict. If you don't have a window seat, try closing your eyes and resting your head against the headrest to minimize visual input. Avoid reading, scrolling on your phone, or focusing on nearby objects, as these can worsen nausea by increasing the disconnect between your eyes and inner ear.

4. Use Controlled Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

Deep, slow breathing can calm your nervous system and reduce nausea. Try inhaling for four seconds, holding for four, and exhaling for four (box breathing). Pair this with meditation or visualization to distract from discomfort. Chewing gum can also help by engaging your senses and regulating breathing passively.

Pro Tip: Preload a soothing playlist on your phone to listen to with your eyes closed during turbulent moments. Avoid high-energy music, which might overstimulate you.

5. Leverage Medications or Natural Remedies

Over-the-counter medications like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) can prevent airsickness if taken about an hour before your flight. However, these may cause drowsiness, so test them beforehand. For a stronger option, ask your doctor about scopolamine patches, applied behind the ear 30 minutes before flying, which offer up to 72 hours of relief but may have side effects like dry mouth. Natural remedies like ginger supplements or acupressure wristbands (which stimulate the P6 pressure point on your wrist) are non-drowsy alternatives worth trying. Always consult your doctor, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take other medications.

6. Direct Airflow to Your Face

Point the overhead air vents toward your face to keep cool and improve air circulation. Fresh, cool air can reduce nausea and prevent overheating, which often worsens motion sickness.

7. Get Plenty of Rest Before Flying

Fatigue can make you more susceptible to airsickness. Aim for a good night's sleep before your flight to keep your body relaxed and resilient. If possible, book a night flight, as sleeping through the journey can minimize symptoms.

8. Try Sound-Based Relief with the Dizzout App

Innovative tools like the Dizzout app offer a modern solution for airsickness. Dizzout uses sound-based therapy, delivering specific audio frequencies to stimulate the inner ear and brain, helping to recalibrate sensory signals and reduce nausea. Available on iOS and Android, it's a portable, non-invasive option for travelers seeking quick relief. Simply pop in earbuds, select a session, and let the app's audio patterns work their magic during turbulent moments. Dizzout is particularly handy for those who prefer non-medication options or want a discreet solution. (Note: Specific details about Dizzout's functionality are based on general app trends for motion sickness relief, as direct app data is limited.)

How to Use Dizzout: Download the app before your flight, as Wi-Fi may be unreliable in the air. Use noise-canceling earbuds for the best experience, and start a session at the first sign of nausea or during turbulence.

Turbulence: The Airsickness Trigger

Turbulence, caused by irregular air currents, is a primary culprit for airsickness. It's most common during weather changes, over mountainous regions, or when crossing jet streams. The sudden jolts and dips disrupt your inner ear's balance sensors, intensifying sensory conflict. Choosing seats over the wings, as mentioned, minimizes this effect, but you can also prepare by checking turbulence forecasts. Apps like Turbli or websites like turbulenceforecast.com provide real-time data on expected turbulence for your flight path, helping you plan mentally or time your use of remedies like Dizzout.

If turbulence hits, communicate with your flight crew. Pilots often adjust altitude to find smoother air, and flight attendants can offer water or a cool cloth to ease discomfort. For student pilots or nervous flyers, openly discussing symptoms with a co-pilot or instructor can also help, as they may adjust maneuvers to reduce motion.

#DizzoutChallenge: A Frequent Flyer's Story

Meet Sarah, a marketing consultant who flies weekly for work. She used to dread long-haul flights due to persistent airsickness, especially during turbulent transatlantic routes. "I'd pop Dramamine, but it left me groggy for meetings," she shared. "Then I found Dizzout through a travel forum's #DizzoutChallenge." Sarah started using the app during a bumpy flight from Chicago to London. "I put on my earbuds, ran a 10-minute session, and felt the nausea fade within minutes. It was like my brain hit a reset button." Now, Sarah uses Dizzout preventatively before takeoff and during turbulence, making her flights more bearable. "It's a game-changer," she says. "I actually look forward to flying now."

Sarah's story highlights how Dizzout can empower travelers to reclaim control over their flight experience. The #DizzoutChallenge encourages users to share their success stories on social media, building a community of travelers tackling airsickness together.