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How to Prevent Seasickness During Boat Trips

Sep. 20 2023 Health & Safety By The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales)

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While boating is an enjoyable pastime for many people, there are some for whom it becomes torturous due to the malady known as seasickness. “Seasickness” is simply a term for a form of motion sickness that’s only suffered when you’re out on a body of water, and it’s caused by an imbalance between the feedback your senses are giving your brain. Here are a few tips you can try to help yourself or a passenger who might be feeling dizzy, nauseated, lightheaded, or irritable due to seasickness.

Don’t Be Intoxicated

Drinking alcohol dehydrates your body and can cause its own ill feelings on land, and these effects will only be exacerbated when you’re out on the water. Try to avoid drinking alcohol both on the boat trip and for a few days beforehand so that you’re completely sober and not suffering from any hangover effects. Stick to water and other light soft drinks on your voyage and wait until you get back to shore to have a drink.

Use Herbal Remedies

There are a number of tried-and-true herbal remedies that people have used for centuries to handle feelings of nausea and sickness. Ginger is a common recommendation, as this pungent root’s aroma and taste seem to help quell nausea. Peppermint is another good option. Sucking on a flavored candy or drinking an herbal tea can soothe your upset stomach so you don’t feel like you’re about to be sick.

Focus on the Horizon

If you’re feeling dizzy due to the rocking motion of your boat, it can be helpful to train your eye on a stable focal point in the distance, like a lighthouse, tall building, antenna, or even just the horizon. This can help reduce the cognitive dissonance your mind is experiencing due to the imbalance of sensory feedback, which can make you feel better.

When you’re ready to check out our wide stock of new and used boats for sale, visit our dealership in Branson, MO, to see what we’ve got in stock. The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) is proud to serve our Missouri customers in the cities of Springfield and Kansas City.