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.

You were out late enjoying the office's Secret Santa swap and an eggnog or three. This morning you look like the Ghost of Christmas Past-My-Bedtime.

Hit reset by placing chilled green tea bags over your eyes. "The tea is packed with caffeine, which helps reduce dark circles and puffiness by constricting blood vessels in the area, and it also contains polyphenols, antioxidants that can help decrease inflammation," says Heidi Waldorf, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Soak two bags in cold water and gently squeeze out the excess liquid, then lie down and place them over your eyes and lower lids for 15 minutes. Too much work? Any chilled compress will help. "My go-to solution is 2nd Skin burn or blister pads, which I store in my fridge," says Waldorf, who cuts one disk in two and applies a half under each eye.

After weeks of cold, blustery weather, your complexion is just as dreary.

To get your glow back, exfoliation is key. When dead cells pile up on the skin's surface, they prevent your skin from reflecting light, which dulls your complexion, says Debra Jaliman, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine. To buff away those cells with a DIY scrub, combine two tablespoons of finely ground oatmeal, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of water, forming a paste. Massage it onto your face and rinse with warm water. For added radiance, you can also make a yogurt and honey mask. Blend a quarter cup of plain Greek yogurt with two tablespoons of honey, then apply the mix to your face and neck. Rinse after five minutes. "To really feel refreshed, chill the mask in the refrigerator first," recommends Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

You've wrapped a gajillion presents, and your fingers are so stiff, you can barely tie the last bow.

The best (and most luxurious) way to release all that tension? Treat your hardworking hands to a little R&R using this massage plan from Lara Katsman, head massage therapist at Haven Spa in New York City.

1. Thoroughly shake out both hands for several seconds, making sure to also wiggle your fingers.
2. Flex the fingers of your left hand, spreading them as far apart as possible, and hold for 15 seconds. Then make a tight fist and hold again for 15 seconds. Repeat the sequence five times.
3. Using your right thumb and index finger, massage each finger of your left hand. Starting at the base, gently twist and pull as you work your way up. Finish by squeezing each fingertip for a few seconds.
4. With your palm facing the floor, bend your left wrist up toward the back of your hand and down toward the palm, then tilt your hand left and right a few times.
5. Focus on your He Gu (or LI4) point—an acupressure spot used to decrease stress and relieve pain throughout the body; it's located at the highest point of the muscle between your thumb and index finger. Squeeze it for 30 seconds by placing your right thumb on top of the point and your right index finger on the palm side.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 on your right hand.

A social calendar full of celebration has given your hair major burnout.

Whip up a nourishing hair mask using antioxidant-rich coconut oil and avocado. "Coconut oil is one of the few natural oils proven to penetrate the hair shaft, so it can help strengthen from within," says Francesca Fusco, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine. "Plus, it can protect against heat damage." To make your mask, mix a mashed avocado with a teaspoon of the oil. (If you've noticed increased hair shedding, you can add a couple of drops of rosemary oil, which, one study suggests, can act similarly to the hair loss medicine minoxidil.) Apply from roots to ends, leave on for ten minutes, and shampoo and condition with products labeled FOR DRY SCALP. "When the scalp is healthy, your hair follicles produce stronger, thicker strands," says Fusco.

Your diet of sugar cookies, candy canes and other sweets has left your skin feeling sour. Hello, blemishes!

Try a facial steam, which can help you draw out dirt and impurities that could be clogging your pores, says Fusco. First, gently exfoliate with a mild scrub. (If you don't have one on hand, you can blend a teaspoon of baking soda into a quarter-size dollop of your normal cleanser, says Jaliman.) Bring a quart of water to a boil and transfer it to a ceramic or metal bowl placed in an area where you can comfortably lean or kneel over it. Position your face over the steaming brew—about 12 to 18 inches away—and cover your head and the bowl with a large towel, letting the steam envelop you for five to ten minutes. Make sure to apply an acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (for sensitive skin) immediately after—the heat causes the skin to swell, which allows active ingredients to penetrate more efficiently.

Tonight's the big night, and you've been cooking, cooking, cooking all day long.

Since certain areas of the brain that process smell and emotion are linked, some scents can have a mood-boosting effect. For an instant uplift, spritz on a fragrance containing notes of peppermint or rosemary, which studies have shown can increase alertness. For an extra boost before your guests arrive, try a scent with hints of grapefruit, which may help alleviate several negative emotional states, including fatigue, tension and agitation.

You knew you'd be sorry for wearing those snazzy yet agonizing four-inch heels. Two parties later, your feet are throbbing.

You need a good old-fashioned soak. Fill a basin with water that's a bit cooler than room temperature—better for easing swelling and inflammation—and add a handful of mineral-rich Dead Sea salts, which can relax aching muscles and help relieve stiff joints, says Katsman. (You can also help lift your mood by adding a blend of pine, sandalwood, and cedarwood essential oils.) After 15 minutes, remove your feet and give them a mini massage. Katsman's technique:

1. Place a dollop of foot cream or a few drops of body oil in your hands and rub your palms together. Hold one foot with both hands and use your thumbs to pull at the sides of the sole as you massage from the top down. (For extra relaxation, use slow strokes; fast strokes are best for when you want a boost of energy.) Repeat a few times, gradually increasing the pressure.
2. Hold the base of your big toe with your thumb on top and index finger beneath, and begin to slide your fingers to the top, slowly pulling the toe. Repeat on the remaining toes, then lightly squeeze the area between each toe.
3. Locate your Tai Chong (or LV3) point—an acupressure spot commonly used to lower stress and anxiety; it's about two finger widths down (toward the ankle) from the spot where the base of your big toe connects to the base of your second toe. Apply deep, firm pressure to the point for 15 seconds.
4. Repeat all three steps on the other foot.