The Game-Changing Reason Samantha Brown Doesn't Travel Without Toy Balls

Samantha Brown is a seasoned travel pro, so it's no surprise that she's an expert when it comes to packing for trips, too. Thanks to Brown, we've learned how to save space with her genius cotton ball hack, how to pack efficiently for the whole family, and plenty of other luggage tips. One hack courtesy of the PBS star that may be particularly surprising — but just as smart — is her toy ball hack.

In an interview, Forbes asked Brown what staple item she always keeps in her carry-on bag, and the travel guru explained that she never travels without a set of Pinky Balls, hard rubber bouncy balls found in most toy stores. She shared, "When I get to my hotel room, I use them to massage down my back. If you lay on them, you can roll out all the kinks. You can roll them down your back, down your legs. You stand on them to work out your arches. They are how I work out all my sore muscles."

In a short video on YouTube, Brown added that she's been traveling with the toy balls for two decades. Her go-to ones have the Pinky brand logo, and she estimates they retail for about $3 apiece. However, any similar type of bouncy ball will do the trick after a long travel day.

Though some award-winning hotels come with the best spas, and massage parlors are common in many tourist neighborhoods, Samantha Brown's Pinky Ball hack is a much quicker and cheaper way to work out any tension in your body. Her massage routine starts with placing two of the balls on the floor of her hotel room. Then, she lays down on the floor, positioning the balls between her shoulder blades. She uses her legs to push her upper body into the balls, allowing them to roll up and down along her spine.

Brown follows up by sitting with the balls under her legs, rolling the rubber toys along her limbs to release any kinks or tense spots. She also recommends using the balls to massage your quads, located at the top of the legs, which you can do by laying face-down on the floor and rolling them under your thighs. If your feet are tired from hours of sightseeing and standing in airports, try stepping on the balls to relieve arch discomfort.

If you have extra room in your luggage, you may want to take Brown's tip one step further by trying out different balls for different purposes. For instance, large balls can be more effective than small bouncy balls when it comes to massaging large areas of your back. Textured balls can also be ideal for targeting specific acupressure points on the body.

If you don't have toy balls on hand, there are a few other ways to stay loose and limber during your travels. First, get creative with the items you already have in your luggage. A reusable water bottle can act as a roller to work out the kinks in your muscles. Similar to Samantha Brown's toy ball method, place the bottle under your back, legs, or other sore spots, and then roll it back and forth for an easy massage.

Good ol' stretches can also loosen up tight and tense muscles and don't require any tools or accessories. One foolproof way to relieve back pain after a long flight or car ride is a hip flexor stretch, which can be done on the floor or bed of your hotel room. You can also take inspiration from yoga and do some basic poses to open up your body. The cat-cow pose, downward dog, and spinal twists are all good poses to start with.

Finally, don't overlook prevention when it comes to keeping your muscles happy. If your trip involves a lot of hiking or sightseeing on foot, make sure to wear supportive shoes with a comfortable arch. When possible, choose to travel with a bag that evenly distributes weight so you aren't left with one tight and tired arm. And be sure to stay hydrated throughout your trip. Dehydration can exacerbate muscle stiffness and pain, especially on active travel days.