Can you train yourself not to get car sick?

Conquer Car Sickness: Can You Train Your Way to a Smoother Ride?

Car sickness. That queasy feeling, the cold sweat, the sudden urge to pull over – it’s a travel nightmare for millions. But what if we told you that you might be able to train yourself to be less susceptible? While a complete cure isn’t guaranteed, emerging research suggests that targeted brain training could significantly alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness.

For years, sufferers have relied on medication and preventative measures like avoiding strong smells and focusing on the horizon. However, a groundbreaking 2020 study from Warwick University offers a promising alternative: visuospatial training. This research revealed that consistent engagement in activities that challenge your brain’s spatial reasoning and visual processing capabilities can actually reduce the severity of car sickness.

The study participants undertook short, regular sessions of visuospatial exercises. These weren’t strenuous workouts; think simple, yet engaging activities like solving jigsaw puzzles, folding origami, or even playing mentally stimulating video games that require spatial navigation. The results were striking: participants who completed the training program reported a noticeable decrease in their car sickness symptoms after completing the sessions.

The science behind this is rooted in the way our brain processes conflicting sensory information. Motion sickness occurs when there’s a disconnect between what your eyes see (static interior of the car) and what your inner ear senses (movement). Visuospatial training appears to improve the brain’s ability to integrate these conflicting signals, reducing the nausea-inducing mismatch. Essentially, you’re training your brain to better handle the sensory overload that triggers car sickness.

This doesn’t mean you can wave goodbye to motion sickness completely with a few rounds of Sudoku. The Warwick study suggests that regular, consistent training is key. The intensity and duration of the exercises will likely depend on individual susceptibility. Someone prone to severe motion sickness may require a more intensive program than someone with mild symptoms.

However, the potential is exciting. Instead of solely relying on medication or limiting travel, individuals could proactively work to improve their tolerance to motion through simple, enjoyable activities. Incorporating regular visuospatial exercises into your daily routine – a quick puzzle during your lunch break, a few minutes of origami in the evening – could represent a significant step towards a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

Future research will undoubtedly delve deeper into the specifics of this training approach, exploring optimal exercise types, durations, and frequencies. But the existing evidence suggests that the battle against car sickness might not be solely fought with medication; a little brain training might just be the ticket to a smoother ride.