8 Ways To Treat Yourself During The Stressful Holiday Season - Block Club Chicago

[Calle Hack]

CITYWIDE — We are in the thick of the holiday season, and with all the racing around and gift-buying and event-planning, you may be feeling more stressed out than usual.

It’s always a good idea to treat yourself to some self-care, but in December, your “me time” can be even more valuable. What about a gift to yourself this month — a trip to a local spa or studio offering a relaxing body service?

There are many options outside of the traditional massage — not that there’s anything wrong with a good, classic massage. But consider a moisturizing hydrafacial, a hot stone massage or even acupuncture.

Below are several independently owned small businesses across Chicago that specialize in wellness. We’ve also included their tips for the winter months and any specials that may be available.

They all have different approaches, but the goal is the same: to alleviate stress and tension to help you feel your best this season.

Andersonville​

Mind + Body + Spirit: Heavy Rest​

Private studio space, visit website for details

Heavy Rest founder Joey Pham approaches care with intentionality, curiosity and inclusivity. Their approach to wellness incorporates the connection between mind, body and soul, inspiring ease through a combination of communication, bodywork and space just to be.

Winter treatments: Pham recommends craniosacral therapy, a hands-on technique that focuses on the skull and neck as a helpful way to slow down and move in pace with the winter months. They also recommend gua sha, a Chinese skin scraping technique, and cupping to bring heat back into the body to relieve any stagnancy from frigid temperatures.

House of Hands in Bronzeville features a dedicated team of licensed massage therapists and wellness specialists. Credit: Provided.

Bronzeville​

Classic Care Massage: House of Hands​

4500 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Suite 3

House of Hands offers a lush, relaxing atmosphere. Catrina Cofer, co-owner and clinical massage therapist, said the aesthetic was inspired by the jazz history of the neighborhood.

“There’s so much richness and history in Bronzeville. There are so many beautiful things here and we want to be one of them. We want to step up to that standard,” Cofer said.

The House of Hands Bronzeville location was established in 2020. Besides in-clinic services, co-owners Cofer and Jovan Plunkett also offer in-home treatments and event or group massages.

With more than 10 years’ experience each, Cofer and Plunkett both bring care and meaning into their work. Cofer specializes in trauma massage therapy techniques, and Plunkett champions holistic body awareness, with the importance of journaling and stretching in treatments.

Winter treatments: Plunkett recommends incorporating warmth with hot stone massages and small, consistent body stretches throughout the day.

Cofer also recommends body scrub treatments to remove dry skin paired with rich, hydrating creams and SPF year-round.

Promos: Ask about their $10-off deal on Mondays.

Edgewater​

Acupuncture: Golden Hour Acupuncture​

An acupuncture room at Golden Hour Acupuncture in Edgewater. Credit: Provided.

1339 W. Devon Ave.

Not all needles are Botox needles — some are fine, flexible and used in acupuncture treatments.

Golden Hour Acupuncture has been in Edgewater for four years. In addition to offering acupuncture, massages and herbal remedies, the business has been a strong proponent of community, hosting a free movement series on the lawn of Senn High School and creating partnerships with Chicago Public Library and Chi-Town Shakti.

Winter treatments: Acupuncturist Amanda Dobron suggests incorporating heat into all winter treatments, like infrared heat lamps, fire cupping, hot stone massage and moxibustion (a Chinese technique that involves the burning of herbs) on the ends of needles.

Winter wellness recommendations: Drink room temperature or warm water. Eat warm soups and stews.

The enticing entryway of Fulcrum Aesthetics and Surgery in Lakeview. Credit: Provided.

Lakeview​

Medical Grade Care:Fulcrum Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery​

1457 W. Belmont Ave.

While Fulcrum Aesthetics and Surgery may be relatively new to Lakeview (it opened in July 2023), it has quickly established itself as a go-to place for medical grade skincare and regenerative medicine treatments, like peptide therapy and menopause treatments. The clinic, led by nurse practitioner and co-founder Brittony Croasdell, offers a bright, professional and inviting warmth, and that same energy resonates through the staff.

Winter treatments: Broadband light photofacial, the Tailored Glow hydrodermabrasion facial, plastic surgery consultations and procedures like Botox

Winter skincare products: (plated) Intense Serum, FA undereye patches, Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

Winter promos: Ask about their new patient specials and services.

Lincoln Park​

Float Therapy: SpaceTime Floatation Center​

A floatation tank at SpaceTime Floatation Center. Credit: Provided.

939 W. North Ave., Suite 100

Doctors used to prescribe trips to the seaside as restorative treatments. Those prescription days are gone — and it’s not exactly beach weather — but fortunately, there’s SpaceTime Floatation Center.

Opened in 1982, SpaceTime has gone through an evolution of owners and neighborhood locations, before landing at its current Lincoln Park home in July 2023.

SpaceTime’s Rapid Restore treatment consists of 15 minutes of the FDA-approved Migun bed (an infrared massage bed) and 30 minutes in a float pod. The Migun bed is a great alternative treatment for those who don’t enjoy traditional massages, while the half-hour float time allows for complete relaxation.

Winter treatments: Depending on time constraints and needs, 30-90-minute floats, infrared sauna and Migun bed sessions can all be beneficial during the winter.

Winter wellness recommendations: Create a wellness day by visiting SpaceTime’s neighbor Urban Oasis Chicago Massage before or after your treatments.

Logan Square​

Take a Deep Breath: Venous Return​

Venous Return Healing offers science-based therapeutic massage and other services. Credit: Provided.

3519 W. Shakespeare Ave.

Venous Return owner Lorna Skuraton has more than a decade of clinical massage training and several years of practicing. She was trained in New York and moved to Logan Square in 2019 to set up her practice.

Taking a client-centered, collaborative approach, Skuraton uses multiple therapeutic modalities to address clients’ needs, including clinical massage techniques, body work, lymphatic drainage massages and breath work.

Winter treatments: Skuraton recommends warming therapies with myofascial releases (which focus on connective tissues) or regular traditional massage therapy.

Winter recommendations: To work on breath work and extend the benefits of each massage, Skuraton offers workshops in partnership with Five Points Holistic Health focused on individual techniques to practice at home, including body work and lymph flow movements.

Old Irving Park​

The Skincare Guru: Esther’s Skin Care​

A treatment room at Esther’s Skin Care & Electrolysis. Credit: Provided

3956 N. Avondale Ave.

February will mark 40 years in business for Esther’s Skin Care. Owner Esther Garces said the longevity of her client relationships has led to new relationships with the next generation. “I treated a lot of teenagers in the ’80s for acne and now I’m treating their teens,” she said.

Garces is a proponent of clarifying and healing skin treatments, mentioning the benefits of hydrafacials for intense hydration and microneedling or peels for collagen production.

Garces said her service assesses each client’s skin type to create a holistic, individualized plan for treatments and at-home skincare regimen.

Winter treatments: Garces stressed the need for repairing the skin barrier and moisturizing during these cold, dry winter days. “Hydration, hydration, hydration … Staying hydrated and getting that moisture back in the skin is important. This is also the time of year we can do treatments to remove any hyperpigmentation from summer,” she said.

Pilsen​

Holistic Healing:Verde Holistic Wellness Studio​

905 W. 18th St.

With a crisp, white décor and soothing soundscapes, the Verde Holistic Wellness Studio is beautifully designed, inspiring instant relaxation. Each treatment room has a unique, hand-painted mural done by a local Chicago artist.

Owner and founder Crystal Dorado refers to her practice as her “don,” which translates to gift or talent. According to her bio on Verde’s website, her grandmother was an herbalist, and Dorado brings that generational knowledge and approach to her community building and care services, describing the studio as offering “ancient healing for your modern lifestyle.”

Winter treatments: Obsidian hot stone massage, sound healing, womb or uterine massages

Upcoming events: Verde is hosting an open house Dec. 21 offering a free cocktail or mocktail and a discount on all in-house products. In May, Verde is holding a 12-day spiritual retreat in Colombia.




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