We’ve all been there: you’re settled into the passenger seat for a long road trip, you open a gripping novel or start scrolling through an interesting article, and within minutes, the dreaded “green” feeling hits. Your stomach knots, your head swims, and you have to close your eyes just to keep it together.

This struggle is known as sensory conflict. Your eyes are fixed on a stationary page, telling your brain you are still. Meanwhile, your inner ear (the vestibular system) is feeling every turn, bump, and acceleration, telling your brain you are moving.

The good news? You don’t have to choose between your favorite book and a settled stomach. Here are five proven strategies to master reading on the road.

1. Master Your Peripheral Vision

The biggest mistake readers make is “tunneling” into the book. When your entire field of vision is occupied by unmoving text, the sensory conflict is at its peak.

• The Fix: Hold your book or e-reader up higher, closer to eye level. This allows your peripheral vision to catch the movement of the trees and horizon passing by the window.

• Why it works: By letting your eyes see the movement your body feels, you reduce the “mismatch” in your brain.

2. Use Targeted Acupressure

For a drug-free way to stay comfortable, many travelers swear by acupressure. This involves stimulating the P6 (Nei-Kuan) point, located about three finger-widths below your wrist on the inner forearm.

• The Tool: Wearable acupressure wristbands provide constant, gentle pressure on this point.

• The Benefit: Unlike medications, these have zero side effects like drowsiness, which is perfect if you want to stay awake and actually finish your chapters.

3. Switch to Audiobooks or Podcasts

If the road is particularly curvy (think mountain passes or old city streets), your eyes may never be able to compensate for the movement.

• The Pivot: Switch to an audiobook. You get the same story and mental engagement without the visual-vestibular conflict.

• Pro Tip: Use noise-canceling headphones to fully immerse yourself in the narrative and block out distracting engine noise.

4. Optimize the Airflow and Environment

Stuffy, hot cars are a breeding ground for nausea. Even if you aren’t reading, a lack of fresh air can trigger motion sickness.

• The Fix: Direct the AC vents toward your face or crack the window for a steady stream of fresh air.

• Snack Strategy: Avoid heavy, greasy meals before reading. Stick to bland crackers or ginger-infused snacks, which naturally calm the digestive tract.

5. Take “Horizon Breaks”

Don’t try to power through a 500-page novel in one sitting. Reading in a car is an endurance sport.

• The Rule: Read for 10–15 minutes, then look out at the farthest point on the horizon for 2 minutes. This “resets” your internal balance.

• Where to Sit: If possible, sit in the front passenger seat. The view of the road ahead is much more stable than the side windows in the back seat.

Quick Comparison: Reading Aids