How to Stop Sickness on a Yakima Charter Bus

Motion sickness can sneak up on even the most seasoned traveler—and there’s nothing worse than feeling queasy while you’re rolling down I-82 toward a weekend of wine tastings or a Mariners game. Thankfully, with the right prep, you can keep your stomach settled and enjoy every mile across Washington State! Here’s our best advice for how to stop motion sickness before it starts on any charter bus from Yakima Charter Bus Rental.

Quick Answer

The quickest way to beat motion sickness is to sit near the front of the bus, look out the window at the horizon, and avoid reading or screen time. If you start to feel sick, close your eyes, take deep breaths, and sip ginger ale or water. Ask your doctor about medications like Dramamine or try wristbands that use acupressure. Most importantly: tell your group leader or travel organizer if you need to pull over and get some fresh air. Your comfort comes first!

What Is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness happens when your brain gets confused by mixed signals from your eyes and inner ear. When you’re in a moving vehicle like a charter bus, your inner ear senses movement, but your eyes might be focused on something still, like a book or phone. This mismatch tricks your brain into thinking you’ve been poisoned (that’s the evolutionary theory), which triggers nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, and sometimes vomiting. It’s completely normal and affects people of all ages—even if you don’t usually get sick in cars or on planes.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness is caused by conflicting information between what your eyes see and what your body feels. On a bus, your inner ear detects the swaying and bouncing as you cruise down the highway, but if you’re looking at your phone or a book, your eyes are telling your brain that you’re sitting still. This sensory conflict makes your brain think something is wrong, triggering the symptoms of motion sickness. Other factors like strong smells (think diesel fumes or someone’s leftover tuna sandwich), anxiety, dehydration, and lack of fresh air can make it worse. Some people are just more sensitive than others, especially kids and pregnant women.

6 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness

The best way to prevent motion sickness is to plan ahead and take a few simple precautions before you board your Yakima charter bus. Here are our top six tips to help you stay comfortable and enjoy the ride, whether you’re heading to a Seahawks tailgate or shuttling wedding guests from Selah to Sunnyside.

Sit Up Front and Face Forward

Where you sit on the bus can make a big difference. Choose a seat near the front, where you’ll feel less motion than in the back. Sit facing forward and keep your eyes on the road or the distant horizon—this helps synchronize what you see with the movement your body feels. Avoid backward-facing seats or sitting over the rear wheels, where bumps and sways are more pronounced. If you start to feel queasy, gently recline your seat and rest your head against the headrest to minimize jostling.

Get Fresh Air and Avoid Strong Smells

Stale air and strong odors can trigger or worsen motion sickness. Crack open a window or ask your bus captain to turn on the overhead vents for a steady flow of fresh air. If someone nearby is wearing heavy perfume or eating pungent food, politely move to another seat if possible. Bring along peppermint or lemon-scented wipes to sniff if you encounter unpleasant smells—these scents can help settle your stomach. And remember to stay hydrated by sipping water or clear fluids throughout the trip.

Avoid Reading or Screen Time

As tempting as it may be to catch up on emails or binge-watch shows during the ride, staring at a screen or book can make motion sickness worse. The close-up focus intensifies the disconnect between your eyes and inner ear. Instead, listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks with your eyes closed—engaging your ears without visual input can actually help distract your brain from the motion. If you must check your phone, do it briefly and then return your gaze to the window or the seat in front of you.

Eat Light and Choose Ginger

Traveling on an empty stomach can increase nausea, but so can heavy, greasy meals. Eat a light snack before boarding, such as plain crackers, a banana, or dry toast. Avoid spicy, fatty, or acidic foods that can upset your stomach. Ginger is a natural anti-nausea remedy—bring ginger candies, ginger ale, or ginger tea to sip during the journey. Some people find that sucking on peppermint or chamomile candies also helps soothe their stomach. Skip alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you and make symptoms worse.

Try Acupressure Bands or Medications

If you know you’re prone to motion sickness, consider preventive measures before you board. Acupressure wristbands, available at most drugstores, apply gentle pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on your inner wrist—some people swear by them for reducing nausea. Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or Bonine (meclizine) can be taken 30–60 minutes before travel; they’re effective but may cause drowsiness, so read labels carefully. For long trips, a prescription scopolamine patch placed behind your ear can provide up to three days of relief. Always consult your doctor before trying new medications, especially if you have health conditions or are pregnant.

Distract Yourself and Relax

Anxiety and anticipation can make motion sickness worse. Focus on relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to calm your mind and body. Chat with fellow passengers, play verbal games, or count passing landmarks to keep your thoughts occupied. Positive distractions can help override the brain’s nausea response. If symptoms start, close your eyes, lean back, and visualize yourself on solid ground until the feeling passes.

Book a Comfortable Ride with Charter Bus Rental Yakima

The type of bus you choose can impact your comfort level. At Charter Bus Rental Yakima, we offer a range of vehicles with amenities designed to minimize motion sickness, including plush reclining seats, climate control, smooth suspension, and panoramic windows for optimal views. Our team is committed to your well-being—if you ever need to stop for fresh air or adjust the temperature, just let us know. We’ve helped thousands of groups travel comfortably across Washington and are happy to share more tips tailored to your itinerary.

Ready to book your next trip? Call 509-509-8830 to get a free quote and learn more about our customizable packages. From school field trips to corporate retreats, we’ll help you choose the perfect bus and keep everyone healthy and happy on the road!