9 things you should pack in your hand luggage

Some people find travelling by air stressful. Right from travelling to the airport and finding parking at the airport to the check-in procedure and security screening and even the carry-on baggage allowance, all of them seem to be reasons for making air travel stressful. I love air travel though. It is one of my favourite modes of travel. With a little bit of research and planning your travel can be relatively stress-free.

Today I will share with you my top 9 hand luggage essentials that I always carry. A few of you might find carrying some of the listed items unnecessary but based on my experience these items make your journey (especially long-haul flights) a little more comfortable and less stressful.

1. Eye mask and ear plugs: An eye mask is an absolute essential. I always try to get some rest on flights. If it is long flight then a good nap is a must to avoid jet lag. An eye mask that fully blocks light works well in such scenarios. Earplugs play a dual role - not only do they block the noise but also help keep the pressure in the ears even.

2. Headphones: Most airlines provide headphones but I normally carry my own pair. I do not like the earbud kind of small headphones. I like my headphones big and carry my JBL Synchros E50BT Bluetooth, around-ear wireless headphones. They are comfortable to wear and offer effective noise isolation - so you hear what you want to and the rest is blocked out (e.g. the roar of the engines or the very noisy passenger in front of you).

3. Medication: I always carry a small box with all the basic medicines - like the ones for a headache, nausea, stomach ailments etc. Even the most seasoned travellers can feel a bit queasy at times and it is better to be prepared. You should also carry any other prescribed medication that you take on a daily basis. Carry only what you need for the duration of the journey and pack the rest in the checked-in baggage.

4. Face Wipes: A pack of moisturising facial wipes is a must. The air in planes is not humid enough and results in dehydration - dry, flaky skin or itchy eyes. Aside from drinking plenty of water to keep skin hydrated, a moisturising face wipe will help soothe and restore suppleness to skin. The wipes also come in handy to remove any smudged makeup. I always find that my eye makeup gets a little smudged after I have had a nap on the plane. If you do not like using face wipes, you could carry a small bottle of lotion or cream to keep skin moist.

5. Water: On many low-cost airlines passengers have to pay for a bottle of water. On long-haul flights water is provided free. But in either case, it is good to have a bottle of water with you. As one cannot bring a big bottle of water through security, I always purchase a bottle of water once through the security check. This way I am prepared and don't have to depend on the flight attendants at least immediately after I board the flight.

6. Electronics: I never put anything valuable in my checked baggage - it could be lost, damaged or even stolen. I personally have never had anything stolen from my luggage ever but have heard of enough cases to deter me from putting anything very valuable in the checked luggage. So whether it is my IPad, laptop, camera or any other electronics, it goes into my carry-on luggage.

7. Power bank: Most airport departure lounges have free charging stations or power points but these tend to be always busy. So, I always carry a rechargeable power bank which stores enough power to charge all my electronic devices.

8. Emergency contact details: I have picked this habit from my dad who always carries contact information for family and/or close friends at home - even when on a short trip. I do the same. It is also advisable to carry your travel insurance information - the insuring company name, your policy number and the contact phone number in case of emergencies.

9. Gum/ Mints: I always carry a small pack of mints or gums.

So, that's it - my list of 9 items that I always pack in my carry-on luggage. I would love to know what are the must-pack items that you always pack in your carry-on luggage. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.