How to stop feeling sick really quickly? Your guide to fast relief

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, nausea is a common symptom of many different health conditions, from viral infections to pregnancy. Feeling this way can be debilitating, so knowing how to stop feeling sick really quickly is a valuable skill for rapid recovery. This guide offers practical, actionable steps for immediate comfort.

Quick Summary

Manage sudden sickness with a combination of hydration, specific dietary choices like bland foods, and natural soothers such as ginger or peppermint. Implement restful practices and utilize acupressure to calm your nervous system and support rapid recovery from nausea.

Key Points

Sip, Don't Gulp: Slowly rehydrate with clear, cold fluids like water, broth, or weak tea to avoid upsetting your stomach further.
Embrace the BRAT Diet: For food-related sickness, stick to bland, low-fiber foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast to ease digestion.
Harness the Power of Ginger and Peppermint: Utilize these natural remedies in teas or candies to quickly calm a queasy stomach.
Apply Acupressure: For rapid relief, apply firm pressure to the P6 point on your wrist, a proven technique for soothing nausea.
Rest and Elevate: Avoid lying flat and instead, rest in an upright or propped-up position to keep stomach acid down and promote comfort.
Know When to Seek Help: Be aware of serious symptoms, such as severe pain or signs of dehydration, that warrant immediate medical attention.

Immediate At-Home Remedies

When a sudden wave of nausea hits, the first priority is to stabilize your symptoms. Starting with simple, immediate steps can often make a significant difference in how quickly you feel better.

Prioritize Hydration

One of the most effective and critical steps is to stay hydrated, especially if you have been vomiting or have diarrhea. Dehydration can worsen nausea and other symptoms. The key is to sip fluids slowly to avoid shocking your stomach.

Sip clear, cold liquids. Water, weak tea (peppermint or ginger are best), and clear broth are excellent choices. Cool temperatures can be very soothing for an upset stomach.
Try oral rehydration solutions. For more severe cases, or if you've lost a lot of fluids, solutions with electrolytes like Pedialyte can be very effective.
Opt for ice chips or popsicles. If even small sips are too much, sucking on ice chips or frozen fruit pops can help rehydrate you slowly without overloading your stomach.

Implement Strategic Dietary Changes

Eating and drinking the wrong things can make you feel worse. The right choices can help settle your stomach. A good strategy is to avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods and focus on bland, easy-to-digest options.

Follow the BRAT diet. This consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are low in fiber, bland, and easy on the digestive system.
Have small, frequent meals. Overfilling your stomach can trigger or worsen nausea. Instead of three large meals, try eating smaller portions throughout the day.
Avoid certain foods. Steer clear of fatty, fried, or overly sweet foods, which can be difficult to digest. Additionally, avoid strong-smelling foods that might make you feel worse.

Use Natural Soothing Agents

Nature provides several remedies that have been used for centuries to combat nausea. These can be particularly useful for milder cases or as a supplement to other strategies.

Ginger: Widely known for its anti-nausea properties, ginger can be consumed in various forms. Try sipping ginger tea, eating ginger candies, or chewing on a small piece of fresh ginger root.
Peppermint: The scent and taste of peppermint can calm a nauseous stomach. Sip on peppermint tea or, for a more direct approach, try aromatherapy with peppermint essential oil.
Lemon: The smell of a freshly cut lemon can sometimes reduce nausea. Adding a bit of lemon juice to water can also create a bicarbonate compound in your stomach to help soothe it.

Understand the Causes and Prevention

Understanding what triggers your feelings of sickness is crucial for long-term prevention. Many issues can cause nausea, from minor irritations to more serious conditions.

Common Triggers for Nausea

Food-Related: Food poisoning, allergies, or intolerances can cause sudden sickness.
Infections: Viruses like the "stomach flu" (gastroenteritis) are a very common culprit.
Environmental Factors: Motion sickness, strong smells, or even certain medications can be triggers.
Psychological: Anxiety and stress can manifest as physical symptoms, including nausea.
Other Conditions: Migraines, vertigo, or even early pregnancy can cause feelings of sickness.

By identifying potential triggers, you can take preventative measures. For example, if you know you get motion sickness, taking an over-the-counter medication like Dramamine before travel can help.

Physical and Mental Techniques for Relief

Beyond what you ingest, certain physical and mental techniques can provide rapid relief.

Acupressure: The P6 or Nei Guan point on your wrist is a common target for relieving nausea. Apply firm pressure with your thumb for a few minutes. You can also buy acupressure wristbands for continuous relief.
Rest and Position: Lying down flat can sometimes make nausea worse by allowing stomach acid to rise. Instead, try sitting upright or propping your head up with pillows. Resting in a quiet space with fresh air is also beneficial.
Deep Breathing: Controlled, deep breathing can help calm your nervous system and distract you from the nausea. Inhale slowly and deeply, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale fully.

Comparison of Quick Relief Methods


Method	Speed of Relief	Best For...	Drawbacks	Considerations
Sipping Liquids	Very Fast	Dehydration, general nausea	Over-drinking can trigger vomiting	Sip, don't gulp. Focus on clear, cool liquids.
Ginger Tea	Moderate	Mild nausea, motion sickness	Can have a strong taste; effectiveness varies	Use real ginger, not sugary ginger ale.
Acupressure	Very Fast	Motion sickness, anxiety-related nausea	Requires correct pressure point location	Acupressure bands are available for ease of use.
Bland Foods	Moderate	Stomach viruses, food poisoning	Not an instant cure; takes time to digest	Don't force yourself to eat if you can't tolerate it.
OTC Medications	Moderate to Fast	Severe symptoms, motion sickness	Potential side effects (drowsiness)	Consult a doctor or pharmacist for the right choice.
Fresh Air	Immediate	Nausea worsened by smells	Not effective for all causes of sickness	Simple, free, and can be combined with other methods.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most cases of sudden sickness can be managed at home, it's vital to know when your symptoms could indicate a more serious issue. Seek medical attention if your nausea is accompanied by:

Chest pain or severe abdominal pain.
A severe headache or stiff neck.
Signs of severe dehydration, such as excessive thirst, infrequent urination, and weakness.
Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
A high fever.

For more in-depth information on symptoms and when to see a doctor, the Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive guidance on nausea and vomiting. Don't hesitate to seek professional medical advice if you're concerned.

Conclusion

Addressing a sudden bout of sickness quickly involves a combination of smart hydration, careful eating, leveraging natural remedies, and using simple physical techniques. By starting with small, manageable steps like sipping cool water or having ginger tea, you can often soothe your stomach and feel better fast. For longer-term prevention, understanding your triggers is key. Remember that while most cases are minor, knowing when to seek professional medical help is a critical part of managing your health effectively. Acting promptly with these strategies can help you get back on your feet and feeling better as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many common types of sickness, especially nausea caused by minor digestive issues or motion, can be relieved quickly using simple home remedies. Hydration, strategic eating, and natural soothers like ginger are often very effective.

Sipping on clear, cold liquids is best. Good options include water, ginger tea, peppermint tea, or a sports drink with electrolytes to replace lost fluids without irritating your stomach. Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.

For most people, an empty stomach can make nausea worse. Eating small amounts of bland, easy-to-digest foods like crackers or toast is often recommended. Wait until you feel you can tolerate food, and eat slowly.

To stop feeling sick from motion, focus on acupressure (using the P6 wrist point), take over-the-counter medication like Dramamine before travel, and get fresh air. Avoid reading or focusing on fast-moving objects outside a window.

Both are effective, and your preference may vary. Ginger is a well-established remedy for its anti-nausea properties, while peppermint is also great for soothing a queasy stomach. Many find ginger more effective for digestive issues, while peppermint is excellent for calming stress-related nausea.

While most instances are minor, you should seek medical attention if your sickness is accompanied by severe pain, high fever, signs of severe dehydration, or if you see blood in your vomit. These can be signs of a more serious condition.

Yes, anxiety and stress can have a profound impact on your digestive system and can certainly cause feelings of nausea. Using calming techniques like deep breathing or distraction can help manage this type of sickness.