Seasickness, a topic that concerns both experienced and novice sailors. It's one of those things where you never know how you'll react on each new trip. You may have sailed thousands of nautical miles and still experience some level of nausea, or you might be a novice sailor about to start your sailing adventures and not sure how you’ll react to being at sea.

Well, the reality is that there is only one way to find out - go sailing.

In this article, we will discuss different methods to prevent seasickness and what to do if you’re already experiencing symptoms. Although there is no universal way to deal with seasickness, as everyone reacts differently, a good trial-and-error approach can help you find what suits you best.

What can be done preventatively? Caffeine can induce seasickness, so avoid caffeinated coffee, black tea, green tea, and matcha before and during your trip. White teas should be okay as they have very little caffeine. Also, remember that cola drinks and some energy drinks contain caffeine—check the labels before stocking up for a trip. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, even dark chocolate may be problematic. Prefer milk or white chocolate instead.

Why is caffeine bad? It can worsen dehydration, which may induce nausea. Similarly, alcohol can be an obvious nausea-causing candidate. Not only because of the day-after symptoms but also due to the dehydration it brings. So, avoid any alcohol a day or two before your sailing trip to be on the safe side.

Other preventative methods include medication, available in pills or patches, and acupressure bands. These are usually the same as travel sickness medication (motion sickness), as the cause of seasickness is the same—confusion between the signals your inner ear and your eyes send to your brain. This mix of messages can make you feel unwell. Talk to your pharmacist and ask what they recommend for your trip if you want to start taking preventative medication.

What should you do if you’re on the boat and starting to feel the symptoms coming on? Ginger and chamomile are nature’s own remedies and may relieve your symptoms. Chamomile and ginger tea are easy to take on the boat and quick to prepare. You can also take fresh peeled ginger, put it in hot water, and let it infuse. Drink it to relieve your symptoms.

Upper body movement is bad—try to keep your head steady and use your legs. Because motion sickness is caused by the confusion between your inner ear and what you see, you can use this knowledge on a boat and try to absorb the movement of the boat with your legs so that your upper body, especially your head, moves less. Anticipate the movements of the boat and keep your head as steady as possible.

Obviously, anticipating the movements of the boat is more difficult if you are below deck and can’t see what’s coming. Below deck, you are just thrown around without warning, which can make seasickness even worse. Many sailors find it easier to be above deck and stare at the horizon. Perhaps the fresh air also makes it more tolerable. Try helming, staying on deck, and facing the direction of travel. This may prevent you from getting sick or make the nausea feel more tolerable.

Drink water and eat small meals. Foods that are heavy in fat may make things worse since they take longer to digest. Consider eating foods that are easy to digest and in smaller portions. Options like salted crackers, bread, porridge, and non-acidic fruit like bananas may make it easier for your body to cope. Also, remember to drink enough fluids. Water is the best solution, or carbonated drinks, avoid acidic drinks as this may make things worse. It’s important to stay hydrated. Again, caffeinated drinks don’t help as caffeine may increase dehydration.

Another coping strategy worth trying is distraction. If you have other crew members on the boat (and this is a good reason to sail with others!), strike up a conversation. Keep yourself and your brain distracted in ways that help you ignore the uncomfortable feeling. However, forget books and mobiles; reading a screen or book may make you feel worse because what your inner ear senses regarding movement conflicts with the book that’s near your face. Don’t make your inner ear even more confused.

For your next sailing voyage, pick and choose your strategies, and see what prevents you from feeling unwell or relieves the symptoms. The more you sail in different conditions, the more you’ll learn about your body. If you’re a novice sailor, start with easier sailing trips and see how you react. There is only one way to know—go sailing!

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