When nausea hits, the fastest relief usually comes from a combination of controlled breathing, staying still, and keeping your upper body elevated. Most bouts of nausea pass on their own within minutes to hours, but there are several things you can do right now to speed that process along and keep yourself comfortable.
Breathe Slowly and Deliberately
One of the quickest ways to calm nausea is slow, deep breathing from your diaphragm. Draw in as much air as you can, hold it for about five seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat this rhythmically for a few minutes. This type of breathing activates your vagus nerve, which runs from your brain to your gut and plays a central role in calming the nausea reflex. It works especially well when nausea is driven by stress, anxiety, or that “fight or flight” feeling that makes your stomach churn.
Try the Alcohol Pad Trick
If you have rubbing alcohol wipes (isopropyl alcohol pads) in your medicine cabinet, open one and hold it a few inches from your nose. Inhale the vapor for about 60 seconds, then repeat every two minutes as needed. A randomized trial published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that nearly 73% of people who inhaled isopropyl alcohol this way experienced significant nausea relief within four minutes, compared to less than 5% of the placebo group. The effect persisted for at least 10 minutes, and no adverse effects were reported. It’s a surprisingly effective option that works fast.
Adjust Your Position
Resist the urge to lie flat. When you’re horizontal, stomach acid can creep upward, which tends to make nausea worse, particularly if you have acid reflux. Instead, recline with your upper body propped up on pillows or sit in a comfortable chair. Moving around as little as possible also helps, since physical activity can aggravate that queasy feeling. If you need to rest or sleep, keep your head and chest elevated above your stomach.
Apply Pressure to Your Inner Wrist
There’s an acupressure point on the inside of your forearm, roughly three finger-widths above the crease of your wrist, centered between the two tendons. Pressing firmly on this spot with your thumb for a few minutes may help reduce nausea, especially nausea related to pregnancy or motion sickness. This is the same point that anti-nausea wristbands (like Sea-Bands) are designed to target. The evidence is modest but consistent enough that it’s worth trying, since there’s no downside.
Sip Ginger or Peppermint
Ginger is one of the most studied natural remedies for nausea. Clinical trials have used doses ranging from 500 mg to 1,500 mg per day, typically split across the day. You don’t need capsules to get the benefit. Ginger tea, ginger chews, or flat ginger ale can help, though commercial ginger ales often contain very little actual ginger, so check the label. If you prefer capsules, 250 mg taken four times daily is a well-studied dose.
Peppermint tea or simply smelling peppermint oil can also settle your stomach. Both ginger and peppermint are gentle enough to try alongside other remedies.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Which product to reach for depends on what’s causing your nausea. They’re not interchangeable.
- Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate): Works by coating and protecting the stomach lining. Best for nausea from stomach bugs, food reactions, or general indigestion.
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine): An antihistamine that dulls the inner ear’s ability to sense motion and blocks nausea signals to the brain. Best for motion sickness, but it causes drowsiness.
- Meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy): Another antihistamine for motion sickness with less sedation. Works best when taken before symptoms start.
If your nausea is motion-related, antihistamines are the better choice. If your stomach itself feels off, bismuth subsalicylate is more appropriate.
What to Eat (and When)
Don’t force yourself to eat while you’re actively nauseous. Once the worst passes and you feel ready, start with small amounts of bland, soft foods. Good options include plain crackers, white toast, broth, bananas, applesauce, plain rice, boiled potatoes, gelatin, or popsicles. Weak tea is fine too.
Avoid anything greasy, spicy, or high in fiber until you’re confident your stomach can handle it. Dairy is fine if it’s low-fat, but rich or heavy foods can trigger a relapse. Eat slowly, in small portions, and wait 15 to 20 minutes between rounds to see how your stomach responds before eating more.
Staying hydrated matters more than eating in the short term. Small, frequent sips of water, clear broth, or an electrolyte drink are easier on your stomach than drinking a full glass at once.
Why You Feel Nauseous in the First Place
Nausea is a protective reflex, not a disease. Your brain has a dedicated area in the brainstem that coordinates the nausea and vomiting response, and it receives signals from multiple sources: your gut (irritation from food, infection, or medication), your inner ear (motion sickness), your bloodstream (toxins, hormones, certain drugs), and even your thoughts (unpleasant sights, smells, or anxiety). That’s why so many different situations can make you feel the same queasy way, and why treatments that work for one type of nausea don’t always work for another.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most nausea resolves without medical care, but certain accompanying symptoms signal something more serious. The Mayo Clinic flags these warning signs alongside nausea and vomiting:
- Chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Blurred vision or confusion
- High fever with a stiff neck
- Blood in your stool or vomit that looks or smells like fecal matter
Nausea that persists for more than a couple of days, or vomiting so severe you can’t keep fluids down for 12 hours or more, also warrants a call to your doctor. Dehydration from prolonged vomiting can escalate quickly, especially in children and older adults.