Follow up: Hypnosis for Seasickness
 

Sailaway wrote:

...
One last thing, if keeping your change is a concern for you, then a
strong suggestion is to learn self-hypnosis.
...
Good luck, let us know how it works out.


Solo Thesailor wrote:
...A couple of people here (skipper
and wife) said they did have some improvement several years back. After
some research I booked myself in with a "Clinical Hypnotherapist,
Counsellor - Psychotherapist" of some standing.
...

Final report: I attended 3 sessions including self-hypnosis. The
Vanuatu-to-Mackay yacht race which was supposed to be a "South Pacific
warm-and-balmy tradewinds sailing" and easier than the race up from
Melbourne to Vanuatu actually turned out to be VERY tough. Said to be
like 2 Melbourne-Hobarts or Sydney-Hobarts back to back and some said
would never ocean-sail again. Over 1,134 NM we spent 7 days, 4 of which
beating in 30-35 knots gusting 40-50 knots with seas of 3-5 metres. We
were wet and miserable in full ocean-wet-weather-gear, thrown about and
unable to eat much. However I am very happy to report that
I was NOT SEASICK!!!!
I can't conclude absolutely that it was all due to the hypnosis as it
is a sample of one, most others were not seasick, and I did prepare
myself better than other times. I believe hypnosis DID help me directly
and indirectly (I concentrated hard in telling myself to welcome all
rocking about as exactly the sailing experience I came for etc and to
go with it and not wishing against it). It was a great improvement for
one who gets travel sickness even as a passenger in a car/bus.

Other things which I believe definitely helped:
1) I did everything I could with great deliberation and care to keep
warm and dry(ish).
2) carried a packet of jelly snakes with me at all times and in bed,
and munched a few often, as well as snacking often, to keep my blood
sugar level up. Sometimes I felt a bit nauseaus but a jelly-snake or
two fixed it everytime. When dinner was impossible I took a litle
package of Cocopops to nibble in bed/bunk.
3) had a bottle of water in reach at all times and drank often.
4) emptied bladder often -made it a routine of when-change-watch.
5) carried and took half tablets of 25 mg Stugeron 8-hourly
6) planned a choreograph movements between deck and bunk to reduce the
vertical time below deck. (In future I should be able to do more work
below deck).
7) rested/slept as much as possible -meaning keep body clean using damp
paper towels, meditate/relax, sleep off-watch even during daytime.

I was able to work the galley to prepare 2 lunches and 1 dinner for 6.
That was an achievement.

Thanks for all help and advice. Hope what I report can help some
people.

Solo Thesailor
http://sailingstoriesandtips.blogspot.com

Follow up: Hypnosis for Seasickness
 

Solo Thesailor wrote:
Sailaway wrote:

...
One last thing, if keeping your change is a concern for you, then a
strong suggestion is to learn self-hypnosis.
...
Good luck, let us know how it works out.


Solo Thesailor wrote:
...A couple of people here (skipper
and wife) said they did have some improvement several years back.
After some research I booked myself in with a "Clinical
Hypnotherapist, Counsellor - Psychotherapist" of some standing.
...

Final report: I attended 3 sessions including self-hypnosis. The
Vanuatu-to-Mackay yacht race which was supposed to be a "South Pacific
warm-and-balmy tradewinds sailing" and easier than the race up from
Melbourne to Vanuatu actually turned out to be VERY tough. Said to be
like 2 Melbourne-Hobarts or Sydney-Hobarts back to back and some said
would never ocean-sail again. Over 1,134 NM we spent 7 days, 4 of
which beating in 30-35 knots gusting 40-50 knots with seas of 3-5
metres. We were wet and miserable in full ocean-wet-weather-gear,
thrown about and unable to eat much. However I am very happy to
report that I was NOT SEASICK!!!!
I can't conclude absolutely that it was all due to the hypnosis as it
is a sample of one, most others were not seasick, and I did prepare
myself better than other times. I believe hypnosis DID help me
directly and indirectly (I concentrated hard in telling myself to
welcome all rocking about as exactly the sailing experience I came
for etc and to go with it and not wishing against it). It was a great
improvement for one who gets travel sickness even as a passenger in a
car/bus.

Snip

Ginger root is also excellent, and you can get crystallised ginger for
chewing and sugar replacement. Grate the root on a fine grater and only take
half-a-teaspoon at a time.

Dennis.

Follow up: Hypnosis for Seasickness
 

Thanks for the follow-up, glad to hear of your success and relative comfort.

Follow up: Hypnosis for Seasickness
 

Dennis Pogson wrote:
Ginger root is also excellent, and you can get crystallised ginger for
chewing and sugar replacement. Grate the root on a fine grater and
only take half-a-teaspoon at a time.

Trader Joe's has a crystallized ginger that doesn't have any sugar on
the outside for those who don't like it too sweet. I find it also calms
a sick stomach when you're ill better than anything else I've tried. I
don't like the strong taste of chewing fresh ginger root (but makes
great tea), so the crystallized one works for me.