How to Sit on a Bus to Reduce Motion Sickness
Motion sickness comes from a 'mismatch between eye and ear information'
Motion sickness occurs when the movement your eyes see does not match the movement sensed by the balance organs in your inner ear. When you read a book, your eyes register 'stillness,' but your body is shaking, which increases the mismatch and makes you feel nauseated. That is why adjusting your posture and gaze can greatly reduce motion sickness.
| Section | Key summary |
|---|---|
| Motion sickness comes from a 'mismatch between eye and ear information' | That is why adjusting your posture and gaze can greatly reduce motion sickness |
| Before and right after boarding, do this | Avoid greasy foods and overeating 30 minutes before boarding, and eat lightly |
| What to follow while the bus is moving | Pause your phone, book, and games for a while and look into the distance |
| Emergency posture when nausea starts | If possible, briefly closing your eyes to rest can also help |
| Motion sickness can ease just by changing posture and gaze | If possible, sit by a front window and look into the distance |
Before and right after boarding, do this
- Avoid greasy foods and overeating 30 minutes before boarding, and eat lightly
- Choose a seat from the front to the middle, where shaking is least noticeable, facing the direction of travel
- Sit by the window and open it about two finger joints for ventilation
- Rest your head against the seatback and minimize head movement
- Keep your gaze on the road 50 meters ahead or on a distant fixed building
What to follow while the bus is moving
- Pause your phone, book, and games for a while and look into the distance
- Keep your head supported against the seat and avoid turning it suddenly
- Repeat slow breathing: inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds
- If you feel hot, loosen your collar and get some cool air
Emergency posture when nausea starts
If you already feel nauseated, close your eyes, rest your head fully against the backrest, and focus on slow breathing. If possible, briefly closing your eyes to rest can also help. Sipping cold water or letting cool air blow on your face may help the nausea settle.
| Seat position | Shaking | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Front, facing the direction of travel | Low | Best |
| Middle window seat | Moderate | Good |
| Very back row | High | Avoid |
| Directly above the wheels | High | Avoid |
If motion sickness is frequent enough to interfere with daily life, or dizziness continues even after you get out of the vehicle, consult a specialist to check your balance function.
Motion sickness can ease just by changing posture and gaze
If you often get motion sickness on buses, it is best to start by reducing the habit of looking at books or your phone for long periods. When your eyes are focused on a nearby screen but your body keeps shaking, the information mismatch grows and nausea becomes worse. If possible, sit by a front window and look into the distance.
When nausea starts, lean your head against the backrest and either close your eyes or fix your gaze on a distant point. A sip of cold water, cool air, and slow exhalations can also help.