Before any flight, there's one item I always pack - and it's not just useful for the flight, but for jet lag and the trip abroad too.

I love the anticipation of jetting off abroad, planning my itinerary and packing my hand luggage the night before the flight, be it short or long haul. To ensure my flight is as enjoyable as possible, or as comfortable as I can make it in economy, I have some trusty hand luggage essentials I won't go anywhere without.

From my blackout eye mask, noise-cancelling headphones, phone charger, under-eye patches, facial mist, and reusable water bottle, you'll never catch me on a flight without any of them. But one item that I can't recommend enough and is top of my packing list for any flight is electrolytes.

It might sound a little extreme, especially for a short-haul flight, but I guarantee they'll make a difference. When we fly, we can get dehydrated due to the low cabin humidity, which can cause headaches or make us feel thirsty and sluggish, so there's no way I'm relying on those tiny bottles of plane water to quench my thirst.

That's when electrolytes come into play. I'll pop an electrolyte into my water bottle during the flight to give myself that extra boost, as it can help hydrate the body faster and maintain fluid balance. Many also contain minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, providing additional benefits.

And it's not just during the flight when I reach for my tube of electrolytes. I'll keep using them throughout my trip abroad when I need one. Perhaps in my water during the day on a blistering hot day, or in the morning after some drinks the night before, alongside maintaining my usual water consumption.

They are incredibly handy and a game-changer for staying on top of the dreaded dehydration we can experience on a flight. Plus, many come in a nifty tube, so they barely take up any space in hand luggage, and there's a plethora of flavours to enjoy.

My first encounter with electrolytes was years ago, when they were awful blackcurrant-flavoured sachets dissolved in water, used as a medical aid when you'd get an upset stomach while backpacking. But gone are the days of unpalatable and watery electrolytes. Now I can enjoy the flavours of tropical, orange and cherry or lime and lemon, as part of my personal favourites.

The High 5 Zero electrolyte tablets are my go-to and are available from Amazon in a range of tasty flavours. While they're classed as an electrolyte sports drink, you certainly don't need to be running to hit the gym to encounter the benefits; just sitting on a flight can be enough to warrant an electrolyte.

The High 5 Zero electrolytes are available from Amazon for just £3.99, reduced from £4.99. But there are plenty of other options available. Some of which include Phizz Electrolytes, Multivitamin & Hydration Tablets for £5.04, reduced from £8 on Amazon, or Science in Sport Hydro Electrolyte Tablets for £7.19, also on Amazon.

Plus, in a world where people carry an emotional support water bottle, it's no surprise that staying hydrated is at the forefront of our minds. So if you're jetting off abroad anytime soon, it might be worth picking up a tube of electrolytes and adding them to your packing list.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com