All it takes is a hint of seasickness to ruin your boating experience and turn it into a miserable ordeal. And no matter how much boating experience you have, or how much you love the water, seasickness can affect you. Unlike other illnesses, seasickness just takes over your mind and body making you unable to do other stuff.  Unfortunately, seasickness is more common when you’re onboard a boat, especially if you have a sensitive stomach because of the motion of the water that affects the balance of the boat.

Seasickness happens when there is a conflict among your senses, most especially in your inner ear, where our balance mechanisms are located and are disrupted due to the motion of the area where we are situated. The motion can also affect our visual perception which can also cause dizziness. Over time though, seasickness will go away if you frequently go on boating adventures. It also helps do these following tips to help your body get acclimated with the rocking motion of your boat and banish seasickness:

Get lots of rest

Sleep deprivation tends to have a negative effect on seasickness, worsening your symptoms and making it more likely to occur. The day before you set sail, make sure you go to bed early and get a full night of sleep. Having quality rest helps all the symptoms of seasickness at bay.

Review the weather

 Before heading out on a boating trip in your Stacer bowrider, make sure to review the weather forecast. Storms, high winds, and turbulent waters all make boats rock more than usual which can exacerbate motion sickness. If you know you’re prone to seasickness and the weather looks particularly volatile, it may be in your best interest to reschedule.

Look at the horizon

If you feel the symptoms of seasickness starting to come on while onboard, head out to the deck and stare at the horizon. If your eyes can more easily track the motion of your surroundings, some of your symptoms will fade. This is also a good way to get fresh air, making you feel more comfortable and relaxed as you process your symptoms.

Distract yourself

You can also mitigate feelings of nausea by distracting yourself. Even simple exercises, like counting, can help take your mind off the seasickness.

Have a light snack

Having a totally empty stomach or a totally full stomach can make matters worse. Try to snack on foods that are gentle to your stomach, such as saltine crackers, and avoid any foods that might agitate your stomach, such as acidic or spicy foods. Avoid drinking alcohol as well. Alcohol can upset further your upset stomach and interfere with your perceptions at the same time. It’s only going to make things worse.

Take antihistamine pills

Antihistamine medications are designed to prevent and treat nausea, reducing the symptoms of seasickness. Most antihistamines, such as brands like Dramamine and Bonine, are available over the counter, and you can pick them up at any drug store. If you’re currently taking medication and you’re worried that taking antihistamine along with it can cause side effects, consult with a doctor before taking any anti-seasickness medication. Include these pills in your first aid kit, which is one of the most important boat accessories you can stash inside the vessel.

Get an acupressure wristband

Acupressure wristbands are devices that wrap around your wrist and apply pressure at specific points. They are uusually affordable and if you’re a chronic sufferer of nausea and you don’t want to keep on taking antihistamines every time you feel motion sickness, they’re well worth trying.

If you feel like throwing up, puke it out

 If you feel the overwhelming urge to throw up, don’t try to resist it. Sometimes, the only you can feel better is just to vomit it out. Talk to a crew member or captain of the boat for guidance on the best location to barf so you’ll have some privacy during your most vulnerable moment. Take some time to compose yourself after you’ve vomited. Wash your mouth to get rid of the foul taste and sip warm water to avoid dehydration. Slowly eat some bland foods and avoid greasy and spicy foods until you feel better. Sit on the deck of the boat and don’t move too much. If you can lie down or recline your body, please do so.

The more time you spend at sea, the more your body and mind will acclimate to the environment. Your seasickness may never fully go away, but it will definitely become more manageable.