The columnist offers her expert advice on how to tackle this sickness during travel so as not to make everyone else also miserable?

Vacations are the time for travel, taking a break from routine, seeing new places or visiting relatives. It should be an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, transportation to and fro becomes a nightmare if any accompanying member suffers from motion sickness.

Motion sickness is also known as kinetosis. It can develop in a car, boat, plane, train  or even a giant wheel. The person develops uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sweating. It can start immediately or an hour after travel starts.

Although only one in three people is susceptible to motion sickness, almost everyone will vomit if exposed to motion that is intense enough.

Why does this occur? It is believed to be due to a mismatch between the visual cues the eyes perceive and the sensory information sent to the brain by the inner ear. Signals are sent to the brain from the limbs and the eyes. That is how the brain knows if we are moving or standing still. In addition, there is some fluid called endolymph in the inner ear, which helps with balance. The fluid moves with movement. The inner ear and endolymph sense motion and convey this information to the brain. However, if the eyes say otherwise, that is the person is not in motion, the brain becomes confused, leading to the symptoms of motion sickness. These symptoms are aggravated by anxiety, stress and fatigue. The severity and duration of these symptoms can vary depending on the individual as well as the mode of transportation.

It is commoner in women and in people who have sensitive inner ears. It runs in some families. In children, it starts after the age of two years.

So how should we tackle this sickness during travel so as not to make everyone else also miserable?

There are a few simple techniques to avoid motion sickness:

• Sit in the front of a car or bus facing forward and focus on a fixed point in the distance. This will reduce the mismatch between eyes and ears
• Choose a window seat on flightsand trains
• If possible, lie down, shut your eyes or sleep
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
• Eat small amounts frequently
• Avoid smoking
• Stop the vehicle for a short period frequently
• Listen to music
• Eat flavoured lozenges. Ginger flavour particularly reduces nausea.

Medicines like antihistamines and antiemetics can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness. Many of them cause drowsiness. They may require a prescription. Do not take more than the recommended dose, especially for children. Medication should be taken an hour before the travel starts.

A pressure point P-6 (Nei guan) is found on your wrist just under the edge of your index finger between the two central tendons. Massage both sides one at a time and then apply pressure for two minutes to reduce nausea from any cause, even pregnancy. Repeat on the other side.

Motion sickness bands called sea bands can be used on both wrists over the Nei guan point. Sea bands have a button. Position the band tightly with the button facing downward over the Nei guan point. They should be placed half an hour before travelling and then left on till the journey is over, even if it lasts a day or two. One band must be worn on each wrist to be effective. Both the bands and the massage are effective in pregnancy too.

The advantage of acupressure and motion sickness bands is that no medication is required. There are no side effects. They can be safely used even in children.

Now that you know what to do to tackle motion sickness, here’s wishing you and your family happy travels.

Skincare is one of the most essential parts of a person’s life and should be followed daily. What do you do if you are a travel freak and can’t seem to follow a proper skincare routine? Here are some highly important skincare tips for people with wanderlust.

A perfect skincare routine never fails to make the skin ‘shine bright like a diamond’. What? Do you love traveling, and have a hard time maintaining your skin’s glow? It is highly imperative that our skin gets the hydration, and supervision that it needs. Having a healthy skincare routine not only helps in rejuvenation but also with several skin-related issues like, acne, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, etc.

The abovementioned is especially needed for travel lovers, and people who don’t stay in a single place for long. As the skin is exposed to harsh weather, toxins, pollution, dirt and many such harmful articles, it gradually starts losing its sheen and healing capacity.

Following are some highly effective skincare tips for travellers, that may turn out to be the best thing you ever try-

1. Don’t skip the SPF!

Exposure to extreme heat causes the skin to burn and damage irrevocably. A Sun Protection Factor is a must-keep, and it should be always applied, even if you are indoors. A sunscreen must contain an SPF of 50+ and it must be PA+++ at the very least.

2. pH Balancing Toner is a Must-

A traveller changes his/her location frequently, which changes the pH of the skin at a rapid rate. Our skin’s pH balance varies from five to six and is naturally acidic. If the pH of the skin turns alkaline, it may cause a chain reaction leading to dehydration, epidermal water loss and finally inflammation. To prevent this a pH balancing toner is highly recommended for every traveller.

3. A Variety of Cleansers-

There are several cleansers for different skin types. But did you know there are various cleansers for different weathers as well? When the weather gets dry, a highly gentle cleanser is to be used, so that the skin doesn’t lose its essential oils and hydration. Whereas during mild summers, a stronger one can be used to rid the skin of dirt-trapping oils and toxins. Travellers should always carry a variety of cleansers according to the weather condition they are in.

4. Embrace Niacinamide-

Travelling from extreme cold to extreme hot weather, make the blood vessels constrict so that the body temperature is maintained. But people having sensitive or reactive skin, may experience a flared-up skin due to such extreme weather change. Here’s where niacinamide comes into play and helps with calming the skin, it reduces the skin-inflammatory response and soothes it.

Going to college is the start of a new era. You’re finally ready to step into young adulthood and experience new things. Whether it’s living away from home for the first time or taking a trip with your new friends, it’s a time of self-discovery. It’s also a time of change, meaning that if you do choose to travel, you need the best ways to stay safe.

When you’re in your late teens or early twenties, you might feel like you’re invincible. Nothing bad is going to happen, is it? While most students travel without issue, others aren’t always as fortunate. That’s why you need to know what to do if something happens as well as ways to prevent a bad situation from happening. If you’re planning on traveling soon, here’s four ways to stay safe and still have the time of your life.

Always Research Your Destination

The first rule in staying safe is researching where you want to go. Look at government websites for travel advisories, research the local news and even try to connect with people who’ve been there before. On official government websites, you can also sign up for alerts that tell you when it isn’t safe to go. Additionally, you can sign up for a safe traveler program, which will alert your family if there is any problem at your destination. You also need to locate the local police department and put their number on speed dial on your phone. If there’s an issue, you don’t want to waste time looking up the number to ask for help.

Be Financially Prepared

Another common mistakes people make is not being financially prepared. They may think they have enough money for the trip; however, they fail to plan for unexpected emergencies. Some people hold off on traveling until they have enough money; others use a credit card as a safety net of available funds. If you’re looking to get you first credit card, it’s a good idea to learn as much as possible before you apply. Credit cards all have different requirements for applicants, in addition to different interest rates and credit limits. If you’re not sure where to start, you can check out a guide that breaks everything down in easy-to-understand terms. Afterwards, you can decide whether applying for a card is right for you.

Travel in Pairs

Even if you consider yourself a lone wolf, you still need to travel in pairs. Most would-be thieves usually target solo travelers when compared to people who travel in pairs or group. If you don’t have a lot of friends, you can always join a tour group and go with them. Once you arrive, you can pair up with a fellow traveler who can then keep an eye out for you while sightseeing.

Stay in Touch

Before you take off, create a communication plan with friends and family. Set up specific times that you’ll call them on Facetime or mobile to let them know you’re okay. You can also stay in touch via text each day. If you’re going abroad, make sure to purchase a texting plan that supports that. If not, you’ll probably be charge per text plus the fee to send it internationally.

Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

Wherever you go, you also need to pay attention to your surroundings. Aside from not wanting to get lost in a foreign country, you need to keep an eye for people who are up to no good. Particularly overseas, it’s not uncommon for locals to know who’s a tourist and who isn’t. They may hang out in certain areas, such as outside airports or train and bus stations, and wait to catch you off guard.

If you’re female, you should avoid carrying a handbag and wear a front-facing backpack instead. If you usually carry a wallet, put in your front pocket instead of the back. It’s a lot of harder to steal it from the front, and that person also runs the risk of being identified since you’ll be face to face. You should also avoid walking around with your cellphone in your hand. Instead, keep in a fanny pack or in your front pocket. If you need to look up directions, go into a store or restaurant where you can use your phone safely.

When it comes to travelling, choosing the right clothing is very important. Comfortable, timeless and quality garments are essential for women who live an active travel life. In this article, we take a closer look at what women who travel a lot look for while choosing clothes.

Comfort is key

One of the most important requirements of travel-quality clothing is the comfort of the garments. Women who travel a lot choose soft and breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk. These materials are lightweight and feel soft on the skin, making the garments ideal to wear during long trips. A relaxed fit is also important, this allows women to move freely and not be hindered by tight garments.

High-quality garments

Women who travel a lot choose high-quality materials that last. The garments are not only better for the environment, but also for the consumer’s wallet. When you invest in high-quality garments, you don’t have to buy new clothes as often. High-quality fabrics that don’t crease even after a busy day, a long night or a long trip in a suitcase are important for women who travel a lot.

Timeless garments

Travel quality clothing focuses on designing timeless garments that can be combined in different ways. Women should not carry too much baggage when travelling and garments should be able to be worn in different ways. Therefore, garments should be timeless and suitable for different occasions. For example, a dress can be worn to a party as well as to the beach or during a walk.

Travelling in clothing

Women who travel a lot and for a long time by car or plane often choose clothes that are comfortable and easy to wear during the long trip. For example, they often wear wide, stretchy pants and comfortable tops. Many traveling women also choose layers so that they can adjust to the temperature in the car or plane. For example, they wear a jacket that is easy to take off when it gets too hot. In conclusion, by choosing comfortable, practical and versatile stylish garments, they can fully relax and enjoy their trip.