As peak holiday season arrives, travel experts suggest adding a tennis ball to your carry-on luggage. It's not for games, but to relieve stiffness and improve circulation during flights. The ball is small, light, and easy to pack.
How to use the tennis ball
Registered osteopath and sleep therapist Tracy Hannigan, in partnership with InsureandGo, recommends placing the ball in the middle of a hand towel and rolling it like a sausage. This prevents it from slipping and allows you to apply soothing pressure to hard-to-reach areas. She also advises stretching regularly, such as turning the chin towards the armpit to stretch the neck, or crossing legs and leaning forward to stretch the lower back.
Travelers share their experiences
On Reddit's r/TravelHacks, user @tmckhar suggests placing the ball at the base of the spine near the tailbone for back pain relief during long drives. Another user, @CrapSandwich, who has a slipped disc, finds that placing the ball between the seatback and lower back helps on long flights.
This isn't the only unusual travel tip. KLM employee Esther Sturrus recommends rolling a water bottle under the hotel bed to check for intruders without looking, easing anxiety about hidden threats.
Testing the hack
Metro's Maria Astardjieva tried the tennis ball on a long-haul flight from London to San Francisco. She found relief by positioning the ball at the base of her spine and applying gentle pressure, saying she felt relief almost instantly.
