Treat yourself to a self care box with 'Hug-in-a-Box' from B-Line Beauty

What a stressful year it has been, unprecedented and unexpected - and now new restrictions coming with Covid-19 Lockdown V2.  In January 2020 I wrote a blog post about the importance of relaxing more and letting go of stress!  I'd had a super consultation and chat with Pilates expert, Laura who runs Zenergy Active near Beaconsfield.  Little did I know then that my plans for the year would be completely put on hold, that businesses (big and small) would struggle and the world would basically shut down.  I have always maintained that the decisions made by our government have failed to take into consideration our mental health, the bigger health issues such as cancer treatment, the economy and the future of our children.  I've made no secret or my personal struggle with it all.  And when so much has been taken out of our control, we need to focus on the small things we can control. 

This week is International Stress Awareness Week* and stress and mental health have never been more important and the challenges never more acute than now during the Covid-19 pandemic.  About 1 in 10 adults were reported to be suffering from depression and stress before the pandemic but that has increased to 1 in 5 since.  And feeling stressed and anxious can massively impact our sleep patterns.  I've often said on my blog that if we want to lose weight and feel healthier one of the first things we should address is managing our sleep and stress.  And of course, anxiety is a very common symptom associated with peri-menopause.  

It's no wonder that self-care should be at the top of our priority list, but often isn't due to leading such busy lives.

Relaxing with a bubble bath and enjoying my products from B-Line Beauty

I was introduced to B-Line Beauty earlier this year when I tried out their home pedicure kit - oh so lovely (you can read my home pedicure review here).  To coincide with International Stress Awareness Week, B-Line Beauty have come up with a lovely solution to improving our self-care and sleep.  Their new 'Hug-in-a-Box' - available here.

Sleep quality is just as important as getting sufficient sleep and Annette Foley-Craigen, founder and managing director of B-Line explains 'Hug-in-a-Box was created partly in response to customers telling us how worried and stressed they were during the Covid-19 lockdown' she said 'Some were finding it difficult to sleep, tossing and turning until the early hours, while others said they woke still feeling exhausted'.

I have spent years battling insomnia.  I have spoken about it on my blog lots in the past.  I have to be very strict with my bedtime routine now and make sure I avoid blue light, have a relaxing evening, take a hot bath, keep my room cool and dark and try to have the same bedtime every night.  Our bedrooms should be reserved for sleep and sex!  Not working in, or watching TV/scrolling social media!

All products from B-Line Beauty arrive in fully recyclable packaging and beautifully presented ready to enjoy or gift

We can also do a lot during the day to lower our stress and help the quality of our sleep, try and get some fresh air every day, get out in nature, see a friend, share your worries, don't bottle it all up, practice positivity (write down your three good things from every day) and don't take on too much, it is okay to say no sometimes!

Hug-in-a-Box from B-Line Beauty contains Anti-Stress Spa Bath, Anti-Stress Relaxation Oil and Sleep Treat, a pillow spray with four premium 100% essential oils, rose, geranium, lavender and neroli.  Bringing together these three complementary products into one concept enhances the benefits of each, thanks to a combination of essential oils and plant extracts renowned for their therapeutic properties.

My bath board is from The White Company

​Hug-in-a-Box Instagram Giveaway

And I was lucky enough to be sent a 'Hug-in-a-Box' to try out and share the details with you.  And even better, B-Line Beauty are giving away one Hug-in-a-Box this week on Instagram, so to be in with a chance of winning, do pop over to my Instagram and follow the instructions.

The anti-stress spa bath is excellent as a bubble bath or a body wash

Here's the three steps you need to take to enjoy a relaxing evening and make the most of your Hug-in-a-Box:

Step 1: I love to run myself a hot bath every night.  I am so lucky to have a big, beautiful cast iron bath, and a newly decorated en-suite bathroom!  If it is still lighter outside I can enjoy the view down the garden and across the woodland.  But now the clocks have changed, I love to light a candle and relax.  I used the Anti-Stress Spa Bath under the running water to create lots of bubbles and enjoy the relaxing aroma.  It is also excellent as a body wash and really soaps up to wash away the stresses and strains of the day.

Step 2: After I step out the bath, I dry off with a big fluffy towel and then use the Anti-Stress Relaxation Oil (even better if you have help)!  Massage all over your body paying particular attention to your shoulders where stress can accumulate.  Massage triggers the release of serotonin to encourage restorative sleep, so you are more likely to wake feeling refreshed.  

​Step 3: Relax for a while ... read a book or watch some relaxing television (not in your bedroom though), then when it is bedtime, spritz your pillow with the Sleep Treat and drift off into a cocoon of peace and calm!

Spray Sleep Treat onto your pillow before bed and relax with a book

For maximum benefit try to repeat this routine at least three times per week, at the same sort of time every evening, to help mind and body get into a good habit.  

I am loving my 'Hug-in-a-Box' so much - everything from B-Line Beauty comes in a fully recyclable box and all their products are plant based and free from parabens, phthalates and plastic micro-beads, they are diabetic and vegan friendly and are not tested on animals.

I love a bubble bath but do struggle to find a natural product that bubbles up effectively so I am pleased my search is now over,  I will be adding one to my Christmas wish list!

Have you got a friend that deserves a treat?  Why not organise to send someone a surprise 'Hug-in-a-Box' and brighten someones day, or what a lovely Christmas gift, ideal for 'uncluttered gifting'.

Hug-in-a-Box from B-Line Beauty is available to purchase here.

Accessories are from Matalan and the print is from Etsy

How are you getting on with the clock change?  Even with 'gaining an hour' I find it takes me a couple of weeks to adjust.  I do prefer the lighter mornings though, but I hate the darker evenings! 

Good luck with the giveaway and if you are the winner, let me know!

Love from
Michelle xx

Disclaimer: B-Line Beauty gifted me one 'Hug-in-a-Box' to try out and to share details of on my blog and instagram.  All opinions are entirely my own.

*Stress Awareness Week was founded by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) and runs from Monday 2nd November to Friday 13th November 2020.  This year ISMA are running an online summit - Managing Stress and Mental Health Issues in the Age of Covid-19.

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