From hand sanitiser to a neck pillow, there are plenty of items travellers are often told are essential to pack in their carry-on luggage.
Several different tips float around for staying comfortable on flights, too, from walking up the aisle every few hours to not crossing legs.
But there is one item that has been recommended and it’s relatively small, too.
A tennis ball can come in handy to help keep passengers healthy during the journey in several surprising ways.
Small and easy to pop in a backpack, a tennis ball can be used to improve circulation and reduce pain and tightness.
Instead of carrying a heavy, and sometimes bulky, massage gun, simply rolling a tennis ball along your body does the same job.
The technique can help increase blood flow, and loosen up any pesky muscle tightness.
It can be used by applying gentle pressure and rolling up and down.
A tennis ball can come in handy to help keep passengers healthy during the journey in several surprising ways (stock)
Body parts, like thighs, ankles, legs, shoulders and wrists, might feel the most relieved from the tennis ball method.
Experts have shared advice for back pain on flights in the past, including Lee Cartwright, an elderly care expert from Mobility Solutions Direct.
He previously warned older passengers not to cross their legs on the plane.
Lee explained: ‘Crossing your legs during a flight might seem harmless, but it’s actually one of the worst things you can do for your health while travelling.
‘It can lead to back and joint pain, and more seriously, it can restrict blood flow in your legs, increasing the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.’
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a ‘blood clot forms in a vein’, usually a leg. It can be life-threatening if the clot travels to another part of the body.
Elderly passengers are particularly at risk from DVT, says Lee. He explains: ‘As we age, our circulation tends to slow, muscle strength declines and the valves in our veins may not work as effectively.
‘Additionally, other age-related health conditions like diabetes can make blood clots more likely.’
Small and easy to pop in a backpack, a tennis ball can be used to improve circulation and reduce pain and tightness
Other items that are a must-have in hand luggage include essentials like prescription medication and electronics.
These must stay away from cabin bags, savvy traveller brand @thepointsguy recently shared on TikTok.
Discussing the items tourists should ‘never put in your checked bag, regardless of how short your flight is’, he said prescription medicine was an absolute no-no.
He explained: ‘You may be able to get a doctor to call in your prescription, but that becomes trickier if it’s a weekend or a holiday or if your medication doesn’t allow for refills before the previous prescription runs out.’
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Why you should always pack a tennis ball in your carry-on luggage
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