Feeling dizzy or nauseous while traveling can turn a fun trip into an exhausting ordeal.
Motion sickness happens when your eyes, inner ears, and brain receive conflicting signals about movement — for example, when your body feels motion in a car, but your eyes are fixed on a still interior.

While medication like dimenhydrinate can help, there are plenty of natural, side-effect-free remedies you can try first.

Here are 8 proven and traditional ways to relieve motion sickness instantly, so you can enjoy every journey feeling calm and comfortable.

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🍊 1. Use Citrus Peels (Orange, Lemon, or Tangerine)

If the smell of gasoline or car air-conditioning makes you queasy, citrus is your best friend.
Before you travel, peel an orange, lemon, or tangerine and keep the fresh peel with you.

Gently bend or squeeze the peel near your nose to release its natural essential oils — the refreshing scent helps soothe nausea and reduce motion sensitivity.

The Harvard Health Review (2024) notes that inhaling citrus aromas activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing dizziness and nausea.

✨ Tip: Keep a few citrus peels or a drop of citrus essential oil on a tissue for long trips.

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🍞 2. Sniff or Eat Plain Bread

A simple slice of bread can surprisingly help settle your stomach.
Smelling or eating a small piece of bread before or during travel absorbs stomach acid and calms nausea.

When you eat bread, your body releases enzymes like trypsin, which help balance digestive activity and reduce motion-related unease.

Choose plain, slightly dry bread (no butter or sugar). Avoid eating too much, as feeling overly full may worsen motion sickness.

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🫚 3. Sip Ginger Tea or Ginger Water

Ginger has long been known as a natural anti-nausea remedy used in both Western and Eastern medicine.
Drink a small cup of warm ginger tea or water mixed with a few slices of fresh ginger about 30 minutes before departure.

You can also suck on ginger candies or chew small slices of fresh ginger during the trip.

Studies published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2023) found that ginger can reduce motion-related nausea by up to 40%.

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🍃 4. Use Betel Leaves (Traditional Asian Remedy)

Betel leaves have warming, aromatic oils that can help neutralize unpleasant odors and stabilize your stomach.

• Before traveling, gently crush 3–4 clean betel leaves, place them on your navel, and cover with a soft cloth or medical tape.

• You can also inhale the leaves occasionally during your trip to counteract fuel smells.

The mild heat generated by betel leaves helps improve blood flow and reduce stomach discomfort.

(Note: Avoid this method if you have sensitive skin.)

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🚘 5. Sit in the Front and Face Forward

Where you sit matters.
Always choose a front seat — either next to the driver or as close to the front as possible.
This area experiences less vibration and motion, helping your body stay aligned with what your eyes see.

If you’re on a ship or ferry, sit on the upper deck and face forward, preferably near the middle or back, where the vessel moves least.

Try to look far into the distance or at the horizon — this helps your brain re-sync motion signals and balance.

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🌤️ 6. Look Outside, Not at Your Phone

Reading, texting, or scrolling on your phone makes your brain even more confused about motion.
Instead, focus on a stable, distant point outside, like the horizon or road ahead.

This gives your visual system consistent information, allowing your brain to coordinate movement better.

The Mayo Clinic (2024) confirms that focusing on external motion cues reduces motion sickness significantly compared to looking at near objects.

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✋ 7. Press Acupressure Points on the Wrist (Nei-Guan Point)

Traditional Chinese medicine has long used wrist acupressure to relieve nausea.
The Nei-Guan point (P6) is located three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two central tendons.

How to Do It:

• Place three fingers from your other hand below your wrist.

• Use your thumb to press firmly in the gap between the tendons for 4–5 seconds.

• Repeat this several times on both wrists.

This technique helps stimulate blood flow and balance the autonomic nervous system, reducing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Cochrane Review (2023) supports that wrist acupressure can significantly reduce motion-related nausea without side effects.

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🥛 8. Watch What You Eat Before Traveling

Your diet before a trip can make a big difference.

Avoid:

• Sweet or fermented fruits like lychee or overripe mangoes — they can ferment in your stomach.

• Egg yolks and soy milk — high in fat and protein, slow digestion.

• Greasy foods or seafood cooked with alcohol — can trigger nausea.

• Strong-smelling foods like durian or beer.

• Carbonated drinks or milk tea — gas buildup can cause bloating and discomfort.

Instead, Choose:

• A light, balanced meal 1–2 hours before traveling.

• Foods rich in complex carbs, like toast or oatmeal.

• Water or warm herbal tea instead of cold or fizzy beverages.

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🌈 Bonus: Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

If you start feeling dizzy:

• Sit upright and take slow, deep breaths through your nose.

• Avoid looking down or closing your eyes for too long.

• Loosen tight clothing to ease abdominal pressure.

These small adjustments help your inner ear and brain regain coordination — the fastest way to stop motion sickness naturally.

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🧠 Final Takeaway

You don’t always need pills to fight motion sickness.
Sometimes, the simplest remedies — fresh air, ginger tea, a slice of bread, or the right seat — can make all the difference.

Combine these methods, stay hydrated, and take short breaks during long trips. With a little preparation, you can travel anywhere without the nausea, dizziness, or fatigue that used to hold you back.