Christmas is the perfect time to relax, unwind and enjoy a detox treatment, writes Andrea Calvesbert.

LET'S face it, whatever good intentions we may have at the start of the festive season, Christmas ends up being a time of overindulgence.

Too much chocolate, turkey, alcohol, more chocolate, it's great at the time, but can leave us feeling heavy, bloated and generally lethargic by the time January comes around. There is also the post-Christmas anti-climax in January, combine that with some dark evenings and cold, wet weather and it seems like the perfect time to try out some pampering at a beauty salon or even in your own bathroom.

There are hundreds of pampering products and treatments on the market, and if money is not a problem after Christmas, a spa treatment is pure luxury and staff will be able to advise on what is best.

Many treatments offer excellent detoxifying properties. Maybe an aromatherapy massage would be good, combining the relaxing and invigorating massage with scented oils specially selected to appeal you each individual. Other treatments which have great cleansing properties for particular areas include a detox facial to give your skin a new lift and various heated body treatments.

A steam room is also a great place to relax and detox with your friends if you don't mind them seeing you sweating. It opens the pores and expels toxins. It is also possible to turn a bathroom into a personal spa for the evening. Dim the lights, light some candles, run a bath with a specially chosen scented treat such as aromatherapy bath oil or an oil designed specifically for detoxing and relaxing, lie back and relax. Afterwards, apply plenty of luxurious body lotion.

Everyone deserves some TLC so make sure you spare even an hour of your hectic schedule to visit a spa or pamper yourself at home.