Lifestyle Trend: These are the things our travel writer won’t travel without You Should Know

• Benadryl
• Nasal decongestion medication
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, or your painkiller of choice
• Pepto Bismol chewables or Imodium
• Antacid (such as Tums or Pepcid)
• Dramamine or motion sickness product of choice
• Earplugs
• Preservative-free individual eye drops (such as Refresh)
• Band-Aids (all sizes), gauze
• Heel liners (for the inevitable heel blisters during walking)
• Anti-bacterial wipes/hand sanitizer
• Wrap bandage (such as Ace)

I’m not suggesting you bring full-size boxes of each product; instead, take a reasonable portion of each. I use a resealable freezer bag, and figure out how much of each to bring depending on the trip’s location. If you travel often and reuse your pharmacy-in-a-bag, check expiration dates.

After my zip-top freezer bag of essentials, here are a few other things that make my life easier.

Toothpaste tablets: As weird as it sounds, I prefer toothpaste tablets to bringing a tube, especially for longer trips. They work just as well as gel toothpaste, but without the potential mess. I prefer Huppy or Kaylaan, but I’m in the early stages of experimenting with these handy tablets.

Compressed towels: These handy little discs (or rectangles) expand when wet and grow into sturdy washcloth-size or large towels that take up little room in your suitcase, backpack, or purse. They are incredibly handy for washing your face when you’re on a day trip or simply washing up on the fly. Target sells a package of 100 compressed towels for $27.

Shoulder or sling bag: Individuals from the United States tend to wear the same uniform when traveling: Khaki hiking clothes (even when they’re in the city), Keen hiking sandals (which belong in a bonfire), and the tell-tale giant backpacks, even when they’re not on the trail. You might as well be wearing a sign that says, “I’m a tourist! Welcome, pickpockets.” It’s simple to whittle down items you need for a day and put them in a shoulder bag or sling bag. I’ve grown fond of Uniqlo’s $20 round shoulder bag. It has enough space for my wallet, sunglasses, cellphone, charging bank, and a few other necessities for a day in the city.

Laundry detergent sheets: After years of washing clothes in hotel room sinks with hand soap or shampoo, I finally got wise to the fact that there are easier and more effective methods. Laundry detergent sheets are perfect for travel. If you have the opportunity to use a laundromat, you have detergent at hand. For hotel bathtub laundry, I usually rip a sheet in half, fill the sink or tub with mild water, and let the clothes soak before rinsing. I’ve grown fond of Hey Sunday detergent sheets. Now, if someone could only invent a travel clothes dryer.

Portable steamer: Some people are content wearing clothes that resemble a crumpled piece of paper on the road, and others want to look presentable. I’m not judging the slobs, but I prefer looking sharp. Depending on the hotel or location of accommodation, there may not be an iron at hand, so I invested in a portable steamer, and it’s made life much easier. I opted for the NeSugar travel steamer, but there are many models out there in all price ranges.

Bluetooth connector for seatback entertainment: Wireless headphones have made life much more convenient, except on airplanes. I’ve yet to meet a seatback entertainment system to which I can connect my AirPods. Now there are Bluetooth wireless transmitters to solve the problem. The AirFly Pro sells for about $60, and you can connect the transmitter into the headphone jack in the plane, and then connect your headphones to the wireless transmitter. No more wasting money on cheap headphones from the airline.

Cellphone charging banks: Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of travelers more than looking down and seeing their cellphones at 20 percent power — or less (gasp!). Battery power is essential because phones serve as maps, cameras, and communication devices. The advent of charging banks was a game-changer for many, especially as they’ve grown both more powerful and less expensive. Don’t skimp on these. Look for a high-wattage bank (specifically 20000 mAh or higher) with integrated cables or wireless capabilities; that way, you won’t need to worry about having the proper cords with you. A good charging bank will usually set you back about $50 or more. I recommend the Anker MagGo Power Bank, which sells for $70 on Amazon.

Sleep mask with Bluetooth headphones: As a light sleeper, I usually need white noise to drown out extraneous sounds and a sleep mask to block the light (yes, I’m that person). This was always a challenge because headphones are not comfortable for sleeping or wearing with eye masks. Someone who deserves a genius grant came up with eye shades that have built-in Bluetooth headphones. I use a white noise app on my phone, which I then wirelessly connect to the eye mask. On planes, it drowns out crying babies and provides necessary darkness. High-end versions, such as Manta’s Sound Sleep Mask sell for $160, Snoozeband has less-expensive options, or if you want to go full Scrooge, you can find them for $18 at Walmart.

All-in-one international travel adapter: I carry one no matter where I go. They’re perfect for foreign travel (obviously), but mine has several USB and USB-C jacks so I can charge multiple devices without hauling around multiple chargers, or hope that the hotel has them built in. Here’s a pro-tip: If you forget your USB wall charger or international adapter, check with hotel reception because previous guests have inevitably left one behind, and the hotel will let you borrow it. My go-to adapter is the Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter Kit, which can handle any country and offers several outlet options for $35. At $19, the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter is a more compact option.

Portable lightweight travel blanket: Airplanes are cold, and sometimes, a sweater or light jacket can only provide so much comfort. Look for a lightweight travel blanket that comes with a carrying bag. These usually don’t take up too much space, and can make a flight much more comfortable.

Apple AirTags: Many airlines now allow you to track the status of your checked bag through their app, but there’s something reassuring about knowing where your bag is at all times. Despite the pricetag ($99 for four through the Apple Store), I’ve found that Apple’s AirTags provide me with an extra layer of security to eliminate doubts. For those who lose their bags, the AirTags can let you know which airport your bag is currently residing in.

I could go on and on. Bring Vicks VapoRub to put under each nostril if you have a stinky passenger next to you on a plane. Keep a moisturizing face spray around for trips to hot climates. Get a luggage scale so you never find yourself sitting on the floor of the airport shuffling clothes from suitcase to suitcase, and stock up on packing cubes to make finding clothes easier while on the road.

Christopher Muther can be reached at christopher.muther@globe.com. Follow him @Chris_Muther and Instagram @chris_muther.