Which activity might exacerbate motion sickness while flying?

The activity that might exacerbate motion sickness while flying is reading the flight manual. When a person reads, especially during turbulence or flight maneuvers, it can lead to a misalignment of sensory inputs. The eyes are focused on a stationary object (the manual) while the body senses movement through the vestibular system. This conflict can intensify feelings of nausea and discomfort associated with motion sickness.

In contrast, keeping the mind busy, minimizing head movements, and fixing your eyes on the horizon are generally recommended strategies to help mitigate motion sickness. Keeping the mind engaged can distract from the discomfort. Minimizing head movements reduces the potential for conflicting signals in the inner ear. Looking at the horizon can help the brain reconcile or stabilize visual and vestibular input, aiding in reducing feelings of motion sickness.