If you've ever spent some time at sea, you may have noticed that you felt a little wobbly once you were back on land. This wobbliness is “mal de debarquement.” This condition makes people feel like they're still standing on the deck of a ship despite the fact that they're safely ashore.

The sensation of still being "at sea" after returning to land is a common condition known as "Landsickness" or, in its more persistent form, Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS). While you are on a ship, your brain and vestibular system (inner ear) undergo a process of neuroplasticity, habituating to the constant rhythmic rocking and swaying of the ocean. When you suddenly return to a stable, non-moving environment, your brain has trouble "readapting" to the stillness and continues to expect the motion it has become accustomed to. This results in a persistent feeling of bobbing, rocking, or swaying as if you are still on the deck. For most people, this sensation is mild and resolves within 24 to 48 hours. However, for those with chronic MdDS, it can last for weeks or months. Paradoxically, many sufferers find that their symptoms temporarily disappear when they are back in motion, such as while driving a car. To help your brain "re-ground" itself, experts suggest focusing on the horizon, staying hydrated, and engaging in light physical activity like walking to help your sensory systems reconcile the lack of motion with your visual surroundings.