Getting a new gaming system should be one of the most magical times of a gamer's life, but occasionally that moment of glory can be ruined by an unforeseen circumstance. This moment was all too common once Virtual Reality headsets gained popularity because while the technology could magically transport the player anywhere, it could also make the player magically ill in a matter of minutes. This common side effect of VR gameplay is known as "simulator sickness" or "cybersickness" and can really put a damper on a great time.

RELATED: Valve Reveals Why A Portal VR Game Hasn't Happened Yet

The good news here is that developers are very aware of this common struggle and continuously work to find ways to ease this burden with each update. In the meantime, there are plenty of strategies that can salvage most gamers' relationship with their new tech so they don't have to put down their controllers while the devs turn their wheels.

5 Adjust The Tech

google cardboard headset worn

Making sure the technology is working for (rather than against) the player sounds like common sense, but sometimes the excitement of getting a new gaming system can overwhelm this basic concept. Choosing the right headset is going to make a big difference in each gamer's experience, and what works for one gamer may look totally different than what works for another. Research is key here and the hard work will certainly pay off when there doesn't have to be a trash can on stand-by. Once the headset is in possession, taking the time to adjust the straps and lenses will be the main thing that will make or break the experience.

The next key step will be to adjust the settings—not just for the headset, but for each game. Certain games have pre-formulated setting changes geared specifically to aid those prone to motion sickness, which is incredible. Each player should test movements to see what makes them more or less queasy, teleporting, or direct movement. Also consider turning the brightness down, as this can contribute to sensory overload when starting out (and the migraine is not worth it).

4 Plan Before You Play

Woman with VR headset and headache

Pre-gaming before gaming may sound comical, but it's quite important. Choosing how to preemptively combat the inevitable motion sickness will be the staple in the gaming experience and the crutch that will salvage the gamers' relationship with their new device. The common go-to for motion sickness prevention is to take medication before gaming, like Dramamine, for example (pro tip: get the non-drowsy form). If taking medication is off the table for the player, acupuncture wristbands, like Sea-Bands, are a wonderful alternative.

Before playing consider consuming some form of ginger as well—it has a long history of natural nausea prevention, and drinking a ginger-based drink during gameplay will help keep the player hydrated as well. A last note: Do not play on a VR headset if the player is sick. The ears, sinus', and overall body are already struggling to regulate its balance, swelling, and all other manner of things—so throwing simulated movements on top will certainly only make symptoms worse.

3 Control Your Environment

Woman in VR headset in the wilderness

Aside from ensuring there is enough space to safely play with a VR headset, there are other tweaks that can be made to the environment which have proven to make a difference when it comes to simulator sickness. The most common suggestion is to set up a fan to blow toward the player, preferably their face. This will help keep them from overheating as well as the potential to aid with the simulation of movement. The biggest response though is a near-immediate decrease in the feeling of nausea.

RELATED: Exercise At Home: 10 VR Games That Make You Sweat

Sometimes our brains have a hard time adjusting to the feeling of what it's seeing when the rest of the senses aren't agreeing with it. Therefore, it can be beneficial to ensure the sound is on rather than playing in silence. Another positive sensory boost would be to have pleasant scents going that can help ease the brain further.

2 Start Small

Man in racing gear wears VR headset

Anytime something new is being introduced to the body it has to build up a tolerance, which is done by exposing the body to the new thing in small increments and gradually increasing the exposure to it over time. Essentially, not getting in the ring with Ali just because you think you can box. Start with small sessions on platform-style games and over time the player can continue playing for longer periods of time on various types of games (but please, don't start with racing, your stomach will thank you).

RELATED: The 10 Best VR Games of 2020

As with any type of gaming, be sure to take regular breaks. It's easy to let the time slip away from you when having fun, but it's important to give the mind and body a rest when it's jumping into such a different experience. The last thing anyone wants is to have the motion sickness slowly build up over time going unnoticed until it's so bad that a medical professional seems needed.

1 Consider Your Movements

Woman with VR headset reaching her hand out

Part of the cause behind motion sickness is the mismatch between what the eyes are seeing and what the body is feeling, this can lead to nausea and balance problems. For some, it's best to play from a seated position, for others increase movement is actually the key. Bending the knees when climbing a ladder, moving the heels when walking, and other movements of this simple nature can decrease the immediate onset of simulation sickness.

Outside of full-body considerations, think about the way eyes move in the real world—they are typically locked into place and the head is what moves. VR should be no different. For moments when movements are happening that are not player-controlled, a quick trick is to close the eyes until it is over (this works well on 3-D rides as well) or turning off those sections entirely in the settings, when possible.

NEXT: 10 Great VR Games That Are Relaxing To Play