HSE experts have shared some tips on how to stop your kids from feeling sick when travelling.
As the school year comes to an end, summer holidays are right around the corner.
This means it’s time to start planning activities, going on road trips, or booking flights, if you haven’t already.
Before going on holidays, the HSE advises parents to keep one thing in mind so everyone is safe and happy.
If you’re going on a trip where you’re driving or on a boat, there’s one thing that might happen, and it’s not so nice… motion sickness.
That aching feeling of ‘oh my god, I’m about to throw up’. Not only do parents have to keep an eye on themselves, but also on their child.
To help parents out, HSE child health experts at mychild have advised on how to avoid motion sickness.
According to the HSE team, travel or motion sickness happens when you’re moving repeatedly while travelling.
This could be going over multiple bumps on a long road or when a moving boat.
When your inner ear sends different signals to the brain from what you’re seeing, these confusing signals make you feel or get sick.
To help your children avoid getting sick on a trip, the HSE advises planning your trip.
Avoiding early morning departures or leaving right after eating can be very helpful.
On your journey, the HSE advises the following:
- Reduce motion if possible – sit them in the middle of a boat, and avoid placing them in the back row of seven-seater cars near the wheel
- Distract them by talking, listening to music, or singing songs – encourage them not to read, watch films or use screens
- Ask them to look straight ahead at a fixed point, instead of moving objects like passing cars or rolling waves
- Breathe fresh air if possible
- Encourage your children to close their eyes, breathe slowly, and focus on their breathing
- Break up long journeys to get some fresh air, drink wate,r or take a walk
Get more information and tips from mychild.ie, including the child safety section and check out the HSE’s mychild socials. Have a fun and safe summer!
