Travelling by car can make some people feel queasy, but one woman has uncovered a simple trick that might make your sickness vanish – and it involves one simple cold remedy
Travel sickness can make life incredibly difficult for those who struggle with it. It makes using public transport a chore as you have to make sure you’re not going to be sick on an unsuspecting stranger on the train, and even travelling by car can be a nightmare, as many people who suffer can’t drive themselves.
There are many products on the market that claim to tackle travel sickness, such as patches and tablets, but these may not work for everyone, and aren’t always accessible if you suddenly feel motion sick and need effective relief. One woman, however, has claimed that one product most of us have in our medicine cabinets is “life-saving” for travel sickness sufferers.
In a video on Instagram, Kiki Rough explained that she was recently “fighting for her life” while trying not to be sick in the back of a taxi that was taking her to the airport.
She told the taxi driver that if she was sick in the car she would pay for the car to be cleaned and would give the driver a hefty tip for having to deal with the unpleasant situation – but the driver did something unexpected.
Instead of getting angry that Kiki was at risk of vomiting, the driver reached into her pocket and pulled out some Vicks VapoRub, which she handed to Kiki and told her to “put it under her nose”.
Kiki explained: “When I tell you, three decades of my life where I have fought to not throw up on every long-form car trip just disappeared. My nausea? Out the window.”
The kindness of the taxi driver didn’t stop there, as she also pulled out a small, empty container and scooped some of the VapoRub into it, handing it to Kiki for the rest of her journey, along with the sweet message: “Don’t get sick on your flight.”
Commenters on the video were blown away by the trick. Many said it would be “life-saving” for their upcoming trips if the smell of the Vicks product could keep them from feeling sick.
One person said: “I’m actually excited to try a long car ride now. Thank you for sharing this!”
Another added: “This is LIFE SAVING.”
A third wrote: “Did you just change my life with this?”
It’s believed that Vicks VapoRub works because the menthol scent blocks any strong smells that might be exacerbating your illness.
Getting fresh air and breathing in clean smells are proven ways to alleviate motion sickness, and the smell of Vicks could contribute to that.
Advice for dealing with motion sickness
Vicks is not designed to cure motion sickness, and the trick may not work for everyone, but there are other things you can try. According to the NHS, you can try these steps to ease the sickness yourself:
- Reduce motion by sitting in the front seat of a car or the middle of a boat
- Look straight ahead at a fixed point, such as the horizon
- Breathe fresh air if possible – for example, by opening a car window
- Close your eyes and breathe slowly while focusing on your breathing
- Break up long journeys to get some fresh air, drink water or take a walk
- Try ginger to settle the stomach, either as a tablet, in a biscuit, or in tea
The NHS also recommends that you do not do the following:
- Do not read, watch films or use electronic devices
- Do not look at moving objects, such as passing cars or rolling waves
- Do not eat heavy meals, spicy foods, or drink alcohol shortly before or during travel
- Do not go on fairground rides if they make you feel unwell
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