The Surprising Travel Essential: A Tennis Ball for In-Flight Comfort
If you are planning a flight soon, there is an unexpected item you should add to your packing list: a tennis ball. This is not for playing games to pass the time but rather to combat stiffness and aches while in the air. It is a compact and lightweight solution that can significantly improve your travel experience.
Health Benefits and Expert Recommendations
According to health experts, a tennis ball can be used to enhance circulation by gently applying pressure and rolling it along areas like the thighs, legs, or shoulders. Registered osteopath and qualified sleep therapist Tracy Hannigan, in a partnership with travel insurance specialist InsureandGo, debunked viral travel tips and recommended this hack. She explained, 'A great tip is to find a hand towel, put the ball in the middle of it, and roll it like a sausage. When you then apply pressure using the ball, it is easier to position and will prevent it from skidding out of position, which can be painful.' Hannigan added that the ball helps apply soothing pressure to hard-to-reach points.
She also advised regular stretching to alleviate stiffness, such as turning the chin towards the armpit to stretch the neck or crossing legs and leaning forward in a plane seat to stretch the lower back.
Travel Community Endorsement
This hack has gained popularity among travel enthusiasts. On the r/TravelHacks Subreddit, user @tmckhar shared, 'Place it at the base of your spine near your tailbone. I do this when driving long periods, and it helps with back pain.' Others, like @CrapSandwich, noted its effectiveness for conditions like slipped discs during long flights.
Other Unconventional Travel Tips
Beyond tennis balls, travelers have shared other unique advice. Esther Sturrus, an employee of Dutch airline KLM, recommended rolling a water bottle under hotel beds to check for intruders without looking, providing peace of mind in unfamiliar accommodations.
This article highlights practical, health-focused strategies to make travel more comfortable, emphasizing the value of simple tools like a tennis ball for well-being on the go.
