{"id":178593,"date":"2025-10-04T07:19:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T07:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/178593\/"},"modified":"2025-10-04T07:19:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T07:19:09","slug":"why-you-should-always-pack-a-tennis-ball-in-your-carry-on-luggage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/178593\/","title":{"rendered":"Why you should always pack a tennis ball in your carry-on luggage"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ALESIA FIDDLER – TRAVEL REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 21:03 EDT, 3 October 2025 | Updated: 21:03 EDT, 3 October 2025 <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Several different tips float around for staying comfortable on flights, too, from walking up the aisle every few hours to not crossing legs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But there is one item that has been recommended and it’s relatively small, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A tennis ball can come in handy to help keep passengers healthy during the journey in several surprising ways.<\/p>\n

Small and easy to pop in a backpack, a tennis ball can be used to improve circulation and reduce pain and tightness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Instead of carrying a heavy, and sometimes bulky, massage gun, simply rolling a tennis ball along your body does the same job.<\/p>\n

The technique can help increase blood flow, and loosen up any pesky muscle tightness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It can be used by applying gentle pressure and rolling up and down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A tennis ball can come in handy to help keep passengers healthy during the journey in several surprising ways (stock)<\/p>\n

Body parts, like thighs, ankles, legs, shoulders and wrists, might feel the most relieved from the tennis ball method.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Experts have shared advice for back pain on flights in the past, including Lee Cartwright<\/a>, an elderly care expert from Mobility Solutions Direct.<\/p>\n

He previously warned older passengers not to cross their legs on the plane.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

‘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.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Additionally, other age-related health conditions like diabetes can make blood clots more likely.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Small <\/p>\n

Small and easy to pop in a backpack, a tennis ball can be used to improve circulation and reduce pain and tightness<\/p>\n

Other items that are a must-have in hand luggage include essentials like prescription medication and electronics.<\/a><\/p>\n

These must stay away from cabin bags, savvy traveller brand @thepointsguy <\/a>recently shared on TikTok.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.’<\/p>\n

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\n Why you should always pack a tennis ball in your carry-on luggage<\/p>\n