8 Stress-Relieving Spa Treatments for This Holiday Season

You just finished a marathon holiday shop, hitting up everything from Target to Talbots—and now exhaustion is hitting back.

Few things are as restorative as a nice long soak in the tub. Up the spa factor by turning on some slow, soft tunes; switching off overhead lighting; and burning a couple of candles. (If they're scented with lavender or bergamot, all the better; both may help reduce anxiety and stress.) While the chilly weather might tempt you to go heavy on the hot water, it's best to keep it lukewarm—anything hotter could dry your skin by stripping it of natural oils. For maximum skin softening, skip the bubble bath, which contains moisture-depleting soap, and use a bath oil instead. (To make your own, mix eight to ten drops of lavender or bergamot essential oil into an eight-ounce bottle of sweet almond, coconut, or jojoba oil and gently shake, recommends Victoria Roth, an aesthetician at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa in Tucson.) After 15 to 20 minutes, step out and apply a hydrating body lotion (choose one with the same scent as your bath oil to keep the olfactory peace) while skin is still slightly damp.