How to alleviate "that feeling in your gut" on rides?

[mirak]

I have a guaranteed remedy for that "first plunge queasiness" on roller coasters. Put your hands in the air and lean back as you fall. No, I'm not making this up. Yes, it works like a charm.

Most people who are afraid of that first drop - or afraid of the queasy feeling they get - instinctively lean forward and brace themselves, which places much more pressure on their abdomen. Do the opposite. Relax your body, put your hands in the air (which opens your diaphragm) and lean back as you fall.

I guarantee you, it works.

 

[Lady Marie]

I have a guaranteed remedy for that "first plunge queasiness" on roller coasters. Put your hands in the air and lean back as you fall. No, I'm not making this up. Yes, it works like a charm.

I always wanted to know why people did that. Now I know! I'm going to try that next time!

 

[ShayBells]

Oh man. That's my favorite part!!! I love that feeling. I don't get queasiness (which I think of nauseous when I hear this word) my stomach just drops feels like butterflies to me.

 

[ZenDaisy]

For me, what gets me going is spinny rides. I was once pressured on to the Teacups - I barely made it through. I fixed my gaze on DH's face throughout and just kept counting and trying to keep my breathing slow. It was terrible, and I was so sick afterwards, and dizzy. Same thing with going backwards - I can't go on EE for that reason.

Up, down, fast - I have zero problem with those sensations. Spinny/backwards - no trick in the world could help me with those!! I just avoid, avoid, avoid. I would love EE I think for theming, and Alice is my favorite movie so I wish I could enjoy its ride... but nope.

ETA - I take it back. I do have a problem with the up/down when it's purely vertical, like ToT. Coasters though aren't like that, so... yeah. I've been on big ones like the Superman at Six Flags (in a lightning storm, no less!) - I don't know what it s about ToT that makes it different. Any ideas, anyone?

 

[soniam]

Nowadays, more than the drops, what bothers me is the ANTICIPATION of the drops. I get so anxious about it that I can't even enjoy the ride, so I've stopped riding anything with a drop. Even POTC makes me nervous, for crying out loud, but I can be persuaded onto that one because I love the ride so much. I once felt like I was going to have a panic attack just in the queue for ToT, so now I don't even bother.

Man, I'm glad I am not the only one that gets nervous on the POTC drop. I still ride it too though. It makes me feel like a real pansy, even though I have driven a car multiple times on a racing track at over 140mph without any issues. Last time I was in the front and thought I was going to fall out. I think that's the biggest issue for me, because it brings back memories of riding roller coasters when I was young in which the belts or bar were way too loose. I always had to brace myself to keep from falling or slipping out. Plus, I started taking a medication in the last few years that makes me dizzy sometimes when I just stand up. What's really weird is spinning doesn't bother me at all; I could ride the teacups all day long I can't even imagine trying TOT. I would probably have a heart attack in line.

 

[SuperTink]

Screaming is a must for me--the forceful exhalation.

If a drop is longer than I can scream, I can't do the drop. You've seen those videos of people who actually pass out on a ride--I'm fairly sure that would be me if I took a drop I couldn't scream through.

I think it's an anatomical issue. I know I have a minor heart valve issue.

One day they'll figure it out.

 

[chelseabun76]

I can't do the BIG coasters. I can't flip upside down. LOL! But I can do the smaller ones, and can't wait to get on BTMR, etc. I either hold my breath a lot, or laugh loudly or scream. LOL!

 

[Luv2Run]

Oh man. That's my favorite part!!! I love that feeling. I don't get queasiness (which I think of nauseous when I hear this word) my stomach just drops feels like butterflies to me.

Same here! That butterflies feeling in my stomach is why I ride these rides...over and over and over and over... I once rode ToT six times in a row because I was by myself and it was nighttime. I just love getting to see the rides at night.

 

[Mrs. H]

I used to feel that way, too. Screaming works for me. My husband clenches his stomach muscles.

 

[John Teopaco]

I get the same exact feeling. I don't ride roller coasters at all.
I was scared out of my mind before I went on Guardians (ToT), but here's what helped me:
I rode it on an empty stomach.
I was around people who told me it was gonna be alright and that I would be fine.
I screamed my butt off.
I held on as tight as I could to the rail.
And even after all that, I still felt it. But what really helped me was that I enjoyed the ride. You need to make sure you enjoy the ride because in my opinion, besides your health, that's the most important thing to me. I tried not to worry about my stomach and wanted to enjoy it as much as I could because after getting off the ride, you feel like you can ride anything.

 

[gillep]

I also hate that feeling but still enjoy the rides. As others said screaming, or other similar exhalation of air is helpful, I also agree with the poster that said that bracing oneself tends to help, I find this works the best on things like splash mountain.

 

[sunshine1]

If you go on Splash - sit at the front.

 

[poodledogs55]

Hi OP,
You and I must be the same person, because I feel the same way! I completely avoid rides with huge drops like ToT, but will go on Splash or EE and I do as other posters do, plant my feet and scream. Another suggestion is to try those motion sickness bands. I can't guarantee they work, but I can say that I rode Escape from Gringotts at Universal once without them and once with. There is a small drop at the beginning and the time I rode without the bands I really felt it, but the time without, I was fine. I plan to try them on EE in September (Splash will be closed). I can try to remember to report back if they work.

 

[married2mm]

I scream and still have have that feeling...

I can't do spinning or upside down-
Rode splash our first trip &never,ever again-me & ds were green.
Ds doesn't even like drop on pirates,frozen is out also.

I've done tot 3 times and been petrified each time-but laughed afterwards.

 

[married2mm]

Btw-I scream on barnstormer and 4 year-olds roll their eyes at me..
Ds won't do at all (20)

 

[Neytiri411]

Oh man. That's my favorite part!!! I love that feeling. I don't get queasiness (which I think of nauseous when I hear this word) my stomach just drops feels like butterflies to me.

Interesting! The feeling for me is like very intense butterflies on drops like Splash or Everest. But for rides like TOT, it's honestly painful. Nothing else. Feels like someone is stepping on my stomach. No nausea or anything, just pain. I've ridden TOT twice but that's it, I won't ride it anymore. I do not get the same feeling on other rides, I don't know why. I guess it's the intense vertical drops on TOT?

 

[hiroMYhero]

This thread is 4 years old... closing.