Summer boating. Road trips. They’re great times… unless you tend to get seasick or carsick.

Some ways to prevent motion sickness include getting plenty of rest the night before your trip, avoiding acidic and greasy foods for several hours before travel, and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you start to feel queasy, look into the distance at the horizon. It helps your senses regain balance. Don’t read or use your close-range vision.

Here are some other natural ways to help prevent or calm the sensation of motion sickness.

• Ginger ale and saltine-type crackers to calm your stomach. Or take ginger capsules for the therapeutic value without having to eat or drink while in motion.
• Homeopathic remedies such as argentum nitricum and nux vomica that are usually started a few days before the trip and continued throughout the trip
• Acupressure wristbands designed to alleviate imbalance by touching specific pressure points
• Peppermint essential oil, breathing in deeply and dabbing on wrists and behind ears
• A travel neck-pillow filled with lavender (available at the Center) for relaxation, keeping your head still.
• For severe cases, Transderm Scop prescription patches containing the active ingredient scopolamine.