5 Accessories that Help You Relax on Long Flights

  • Also see Keeping Clean on Flights: 5 Hygienic Travel Accessories
  • Also see Sleeping on Flights: 5 Travel Accessories That Help
  • Also see 6 Electronic Gadgets to Keep You Busy while You Wait for Your Flight
  • Also see Basic Luggage Policy for Domestic and International Flights

    • Long flights are a necessity in the busy traveler's lifestyle, but becoming used to spending hours at a time in the air doesn't make the flights any less stressful. To make the time fly by faster and more comfortably, the traveler headed on a long trip should invest in some of these stress-busting accessories.

    1. Multimedia Player

    Travelers on long flights have thought to pack MP3 players and portable DVD players for as long as these gadgets have existed, but even the most frequent traveler tends to forget that too many carryon items can be more hassle than it's worth. That's where the combined multimedia player can step in. Leave the MP3 player and portable DVD player at home and instead pack a multimedia player, which can play songs, movies and TV shows. Some can even display pictures.

    2. Portable Game Player

    Video gaming is no longer just for kids and teens. With the latest advances in portable game playing technology, gaming has become more accessible and popular than ever. Not only are the portable game players easier to use, but there are a wide variety of game genres, including puzzle games (such as crosswords and problem-solving), which are popular with gamers of all ages.

    3. Digital Book Reader

    Avid readers can now take the entire bookshelf with them, without taking up more than the size of one typical book. At less than a pound, a digital book reader adds little burden to the carry-on luggage and can help readers unwind on long flights.

    4. Therapy Eye Mask

    The typical eye mask can block out light and help travelers on long flights relax without spending a lot of money. A therapy mask may cost a little extra, but it's worth the price if it helps the traveler learn how to relax. Molded foam eye masks with peripheral coverage may be the best at blocking light comfortably. Sound therapy eye masks cover the ears as well and include speakers to which the traveler can hook up an MP3 or multimedia player.

    5. Travel Body Pillow

    Nothing helps a traveler relax better than a luxurious body pillow that can turn even the most uncomfortable economy-class plane seat into a luxurious, restful chair. However, most body pillows are simply too big to lug on a flight. Some travel body pillows, however, can roll into a cylinder about the size of a soda can. The secret is that the pillow is inflatable. The traveler need not bring an air pump along, as only 10 to 12 breaths will get the body pillow ready for use.
    Beat boredom on long flights with these must-have accessories for the frequent traveler. Time in the sky is a break from the bustle of everyday life, so learn how to relax and start looking at the flight as time to pamper oneself.