Comfort kit: hospital days
Hospital days come in many forms, bloods, scans, consultations, results. They can be long, emotional, and unpredictable. This EDIT is a small companion for those days. Practical pieces to bring comfort, calm, and a little more control so you can focus on getting through, one step at a time.
The Starlight Sweatshirt
A soft sweatshirt that brings both comfort and warmth; ideal for blood tests, non-scan appointments, and further treatments. The wide arm zips offer easy access to veins and PICC lines, while the deep V-neck zip allows for treatment through a port. It's a stylish, cosy alternative to a medical gown. Plus, cosy for long waiting-room hours.
Lulu: “Yes, that’s me on their website. I wear this for my own appointments. It’s comfy, flattering, and makes me feel a little more pulled together on hospital days.”
Available from ILU Fitwear.
Ocean Bottle
Being well-hydrated can make blood tests easier and more accurate. Hydration helps your veins stay plump and visible, making it easier for nurses to draw blood. It’s also important for certain scans, where adequate hydration can improve imaging quality or comfort during the procedure.
Ocean Bottle is a leak-proof, stainless steel favourite. It keeps drinks cold (or hot), comes in three sizes depending on how much weight you can carry, and you can customise it with straw or sport lids depending on what feels easiest to sip from.
Available online from Ocean Bottle.
HotHands Hand Warmers
When your veins play hard to get, warmth can make all the difference. Being warm, especially in the hands helps improve blood flow and makes veins more visible, easing the process of blood draws.
These disposable hand warmers gently warm up in minutes and stay warm for hours, helping reduce discomfort and making vein access a little easier. Keep a pair in your bag for blood tests or cold waiting rooms.
Lulu tip: “Hold one in each hand on the way to your appointment, it can help calm nerves as well as warm you up.”
Available from The French Pharmacy and online retailers.
Monogram Notebook
Appointments can be a lot — questions to remember, answers to hold onto, notes you might want to look back on later. Having one central place to keep it all makes the process calmer, clearer, and more manageable.
This Papier notebook is a stylish but practical choice, with thick pages and a hard cover to withstand being pulled in and out of a bag. Plus, you can monogram it for a personal touch.
Available at Papier.
Neal’s Yard Remedies to Roll (Relaxation)
Hospital days can be overwhelming. This little bottle of calm fits easily in your bag and offers a moment of grounding when you need it most. Whether it’s before a scan or while waiting for results, a familiar scent can steady your breath and soften the edges of stress.
Roll onto pulse points
Inhale the aromatherapeutic fragrance
Made with a blend of organic essential oils including lavender and geranium, it’s a simple ritual with a powerful effect.
Available at Neals Yard, Daylesford Organic, Ocado, Planet Organic, and M&S.
4–4–4 Breathing
This easy breathing technique can help you reset in the moment.
How to:
1. Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four
2. Hold for four
3. Exhale gently through your mouth for four.
Why it helps:
According to the British Heart Foundation, this practice can help regulate your breathing, lower your heart rate, and ease physical tension. It’s a powerful way to calm the nervous system and bring you back to centre — anytime, anywhere.
Cable Tidy
Hospital visits often come with long periods of waiting. Keeping your tech charged and your earphones close means you can zone out with a playlist, watch something comforting, or catch up on messages without distraction.
This chic little organiser keeps cables, chargers, and earphones neatly stored and easy to find.
Lulu tip: “Download a playlist, film or podcast the night before in case the wifi signal is patchy.”
Available at Stackers and John Lewis.
Fresh Sugar Watermelon Hydrating Lip Balm
A little moment of self-care. This balm delivers instant hydration and leaves lips smooth and subtly glossy. The watermelon scent feels summery and light, and the nourishing formula is ideal for dry lips during long days in and out of clinics or on the move.
Available from Fresh and Space NK.
Cashmere Wool Wrap Scarf
Soft, oversized, and comforting, this wrap scarf is like a wearable hug on long days. Whether you need warmth in an air-conditioned waiting room, something to curl into on the journey home, or just an extra layer that brings colour to your outfit, it’s a versatile piece that brings both function and a sense of care.
Lulu tip: Choose a colour that lifts your mood. This pumpkin tone is bold and energising, just what you might need on heavy days.
Available from TOAST.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Face Mist
A glow-boosting mist, this cult-favourite delivers a refreshing spritz of essential oils and plant extracts. Ideal for hospital visits when your skin feels dehydrated, tired or your energy dips. The light mist revives your senses and gives your skin a moment of care.
The 30ml option is perfectly portable.
Available from Caudalie, Space NK, Cult Beauty, and selected pharmacies.
Nairn’s Oat Biscuits
These oat biscuits are satisfying with a little chocolate lift when you need it most.
They come in individually wrapped packs, making them easy to slip into your bag. Ideal for nibbling while you wait for your appointment, or as a comforting bite after a fasting-required test.
Available from supermarkets and health food shops.