How to Stop Sickness on a Sandy Charter Bus

Motion sickness is nobody’s idea of a good time—especially if you’re looking forward to a fun day at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium or planning a long-distance school trip from Sandy, Utah. The good news? There are proven ways to prevent (and quickly treat) nausea, dizziness, and headaches so your group can relax and enjoy the ride. With more than 10 years of experience serving groups across Salt Lake County, Charter Bus Rental Sandy has seen it all when it comes to bus travel woes. We know how to keep passengers feeling their best, whether you’re shuttling students to a science competition in Ogden or heading to a corporate retreat in Moab. To book a charter bus for your next event, call 385-601-0420. Our team is available 24/7 to answer questions, offer instant quotes online, and help you customize your rental package.

Quick Answer

Motion sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals about movement from your eyes, inner ears, and body. On a moving vehicle like a charter bus, this sensory mismatch can trigger nausea, dizziness, sweating, and other unpleasant symptoms. Preventing motion sickness involves aligning your senses (by facing forward and focusing on the horizon), choosing stomach-friendly snacks, staying hydrated, leveraging natural remedies (like ginger or acupressure bands), and using medication as needed. Consistent exposure and vestibular rehabilitation exercises can also build your tolerance over time.

What Is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness is a common condition that happens when your brain gets mixed messages about movement. Your eyes might see one thing (like the inside of a moving bus), while your inner ears sense another (the actual motion of the vehicle). This sensory conflict confuses your brain and triggers symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, headache, and fatigue. On a charter bus, motion sickness usually strikes during winding mountain roads, stop-and-go traffic, or long stretches of highway where the scenery blurs by. It can affect anyone, but children, pregnant women, and people prone to migraines are especially susceptible. The good news is that most cases are mild and can be managed with simple strategies before and during your trip.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

The root cause of motion sickness is sensory mismatch. When you’re sitting on a moving bus, your inner ear detects the motion, but your eyes may tell your brain you’re stationary (especially if you’re reading or looking down at a phone). This disconnect triggers the area postrema in your brainstem, which controls vomiting and nausea. Other factors that can worsen motion sickness include strong smells (like diesel fuel or food), stuffy air, dehydration, anxiety, lack of sleep, and certain medications. Genetics also play a role—if your parents got carsick, you’re more likely to experience it too.

6 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness

While there’s no cure for motion sickness, you can significantly reduce your risk with the right preparation and in-transit tactics. Here are six expert-backed tips to keep your group comfortable on your next charter bus trip from Sandy:

Choose the Right Seat

Where you sit on the bus matters. Motion is least pronounced near the front, directly above the wheels. Choose a seat here and face forward so your eyes and inner ear receive matching information about the direction and speed of travel. Avoid sitting in the back or over the rear axle, where sway and vibration are strongest. If possible, recline your seat slightly and rest your head against the headrest to minimize jostling. For groups booking multiple buses, request that passengers prone to motion sickness be assigned front-row seats across all vehicles.

Fix Your Gaze on the Horizon

Looking out the window and focusing on a distant, stable point (like the horizon or a far-off mountain) helps synchronize your visual and vestibular inputs. This alignment reduces the sensory conflict that causes nausea. Encourage passengers to avoid reading, watching videos, or playing games on phones and tablets, as these activities increase the risk of motion sickness. If you must use a screen, take frequent breaks to look outside and reset your senses. Audiobooks, podcasts, or music are better entertainment options during the ride.

Keep Cool, Fresh Air Circulating

Stuffy, warm, or smelly air can intensify motion sickness symptoms. Use the bus’s overhead vents or open windows (if allowed) to maintain a steady flow of cool, fresh air. Some passengers find relief from holding a damp washcloth or cold pack against their forehead or neck. Avoid heavy perfumes, food odors, and strong cleaning chemicals on board. If someone feels queasy, encourage them to move closer to an open vent or step outside for a few minutes during a rest stop.

Eat Light and Stay Hydrated

Avoid traveling on an empty stomach, as low blood sugar can worsen nausea. However, don’t overeat or consume rich, fatty, or spicy foods before or during the trip. Instead, opt for small, bland snacks like crackers, pretzels, bananas, applesauce, or plain toast. Ginger is a natural antiemetic—sipping ginger ale, chewing ginger candies, or taking ginger capsules may help settle your stomach. Drink water regularly to stay hydrated, but limit caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, which can irritate your digestive system.

Try Natural Remedies and Over-the-Counter Medications

Several non-prescription products can prevent or alleviate motion sickness. Acupressure wristbands (like Sea-Bands) apply gentle pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on your inner wrist, which may reduce nausea for some people. Peppermint or chamomile candies, essential oil inhalers, and vitamin C supplements are other popular natural remedies. If you know you’re prone to severe motion sickness, consider taking an antihistamine like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) 30–60 minutes before departure. These medications block signals in the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting, but they can cause drowsiness. Always follow dosing instructions and consult your doctor if you have underlying health conditions.

Gradually Build Tolerance Through Habituation

If you travel frequently, you can train your brain to adapt to motion through repeated, controlled exposure. Start with short practice trips around Sandy or nearby cities like West Valley City and gradually increase the duration and intensity of travel. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises, such as head turns, balance drills, and optokinetic training (watching moving patterns), can also desensitize your inner ear and improve your resistance to motion sickness over time. Work with a physical therapist or vestibular specialist for personalized guidance if needed.

Book a Comfortable, Customizable Charter Bus in Sandy

Charter Bus Rental Sandy offers a wide range of amenities and services to make your group travel experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. From reclining seats and climate control to onboard restrooms and WiFi, our buses are designed with passenger comfort in mind. We can accommodate special requests for seating arrangements, meal stops, and medical needs—just let us know your preferences when booking. Whether you’re organizing a field trip, corporate outing, wedding shuttle, or sports team transport, we’ll work with you to create a customized itinerary that minimizes the risk of motion sickness for your group. Ready to plan your trip? Call 385-601-0420 or request a quote online today.