What seat is best for car sickness?

Beating the Ugh: The Best Seat in the Car to Ward Off Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can turn a pleasant car journey into a miserable experience. That queasy feeling, cold sweats, and even vomiting are all too familiar for some travelers. While there’s no magic cure-all, choosing the right seat can significantly reduce your chances of succumbing to motion sickness. So, where should you sit to minimize the chances of a bumpy ride affecting your stomach?

The short answer? The middle seat, facing the rear of the vehicle, when possible, is often the best option, especially for young children.

Let’s break down why this position offers a superior advantage in the battle against motion sickness:

• Minimizing Conflicting Sensory Input: Motion sickness occurs when the signals your inner ear (sensing motion), your eyes (observing the surrounding environment), and your body (feeling pressure and position) send to your brain are mismatched. Sitting in the middle rear seat helps alleviate this confusion in several ways.

• Reduced Lateral Movement: The middle seat experiences less side-to-side sway compared to seats closer to the windows. This lateral movement is a major trigger for motion sickness. Being positioned closer to the vehicle’s center of gravity reduces the intensity of this movement, leading to a more stable sensory experience.

• Focusing Forward or Rearward: Facing forward or rearward is generally better than facing sideways. When seated sideways, your eyes are constantly processing the blur of the passing landscape, which clashes with the relatively stable input from your inner ear. The rear facing position, although not always available for adults, makes it easier for the body to align with the car’s movement, further reducing sensory conflict.

Important Considerations:

• Rear-Facing Safety: For infants and toddlers, rear-facing car seats are not just about comfort, they are crucial for safety. Experts strongly recommend keeping children in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, ideally until they reach the maximum weight or height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer. This prioritizes safety over any potential benefit of forward-facing positioning and motion sickness.

• Air Circulation: Adequate ventilation is essential for minimizing motion sickness. Make sure the car’s air conditioning is properly functioning and that fresh air is circulating.

• Visual Fixation: Encourage the passenger to focus on a distant, stable point outside the car, like the horizon. This helps to harmonize visual and inner ear input. Avoid reading or looking at screens (phones, tablets, etc.) as these activities exacerbate the sensory conflict.

• Other Strategies: Combining the ideal seating position with other motion sickness remedies can provide further relief. These include:

  • Over-the-counter medications: Antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) can be effective, but be sure to consult with a doctor or pharmacist before use, especially for children.
  • Ginger: Ginger candies, ginger ale, or ginger supplements can help soothe the stomach.
  • Acupressure: Acupressure bands that apply pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) acupressure point on the wrist can help reduce nausea.

• Individual Variability: What works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different strategies to find what provides the most effective relief for you or your child.

While sitting in the middle rear seat is a great starting point, remember that motion sickness is a complex issue. By understanding the underlying causes and combining the ideal seating position with other preventive measures, you can significantly improve the chances of a comfortable and enjoyable car journey for everyone. So, buckle up, prioritize safety, and consider the middle seat for a smoother ride!