Motion sickness is the result of what scientists call “sensory mismatch,” says Dr. Lewis Kohl, chairman of emergency medicine at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. We rely on our senses to tell us what our body is doing. Our eyes, inner ears, tendons, muscles, ligaments and joints take in information and send it to our brain. When you’re standing or sitting on a solid surface like a boat that is rocking around on the water, your brain gets too many mixed signals,” he says. It gets confused and you can get sick.

CALM THE QUEASE - No one wants to toss a hard-earned vacation along with their cookies. But even if your gills turn green at the slightest chop, there are simple, non-medical steps you can take to keep your stomach settled the next time you’re at sea.

“Personal behavior has a lot to do with susceptibility to seasickness,” says Dr. Kohl. Here are tips for enjoying the motion of the ocean.

LOOK UP AND OUT - The best way to keep your senses from overloading is to stare at the horizon. “It’s old wisdom, but people still forget and sit there staring at their feet,” says Dr. Kohl.

TURN YOUR FEET - Pitching fore and aft tends to make people sicker that side to side. If you can, turn your feet so you are rocking side to side, and try to sleep that way, too.

CLOSE THE CHAPTER - The worst thing you can do is read. It magnifies the sensory mismatch. Ditto other close-concentration tasks.

SIT TOWARD THE CENTER - Try to find a point on the boat where the motion is at a minimum. Stay off the bow, and try to stay close to the center of the boat.

STAY ON DECK - Fresh air will help you feel better; avoid running downstairs at the first sign of motion sickness.

BRACE YOURSELF - Sitting with your back and neck supported can calm your senses. An upright lounge chair close to the center of the boat on deck is the ideal.

GET ENGAGED - Being anxious and preoccupied about getting sick increases the likelihood that you will get sick. Try to engage others in conversation. Keep your mind otherwise occupied.

EAT A LITTLE - Low blood sugar will heighten your feelings of nausea. Eat light, frequent meals to keep your stomach settled. That doesn’t mean pepperoni pizza!

PARTY HARDY - Being hung over, especially since you’re also dehydrated, makes you a prime candidate for seasickness. Even though you are on vacation, limit yourself to one or two drinks with dinner.

SLEEP IT OFF - A sleep-deprived brain is an easily overwhelmed brain. Treat it right and get plenty of sleep.

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