Tis the season, for gathering with family, receiving presents, attending holiday parties, and so much holly jolly fun.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”

Tis the season, for being forced to gather with the family, buying presents, having to attend yet another holiday party, and so much headache causing stress.

“It’s the most . . . Uh bah hum bug.”

Don’t get us wrong . . . We LOVE the holidays. There is something magical about this time of year. It is in the air and it takes hold of all the body’s senses. The sights of the colorful lights, the holiday trim, and the festive department store windows. The sounds of cheerful, goodwill toward all music and children squeaky with delight or in sheer terror at Santa Claus. The mouth watering smells of cookies, pies, and cakes baking along with the turkey and all the fixings on the side. The taste of all those cookies, pies, cakes, and turkey with all the fixings on the side. To feel a new cashmere sweater from your mother, a warm hug from a loved one, and those new glittering gold high heels you purchased just for yourself.

Unfortunately, for all of us, along with the abounding joys the holiday time brings it also heightens our stress levels.

We, here a Queen in Heels, want everyone to have a joyous and merry holiday season so, we have compiled a list of stress busters for not only the holidays but every day.

Stress Management:

1. It is okay to Say No: This is a difficult one for many of us however, it is truly necessary. If you have already volunteered to prepare a dish for two other parties and still need to get your baking done then it is okay to tell your mother-in-law you can not bake something for her church’s social also. It is okay to tell your children that they will not get the one hundred things on their list and to wisely pick three or four items. And yes, it is okay to decline an invitation to a party especially when you don’t know anyone except the hostess and would not feel comfortable or you are just to tired and need some rest.

2. Get some sleep: A rested body makes for a well mind.

3. Eat Healthy: This is especially difficult around this time of year. The abundance on holiday goodies are all around us. At work, co-workers and clients are bringing every type of baked goods known to mankind, at home the oven is producing scrumptious dishes, and at the store the delightful smells are causing your shopping cart to overflow with items that were not on your list. The key here is to practice control. Yes, we all allow ourselves the pleasure of over- indulgence during the holidays, however do not forget your vegetables in between those sugar cookies.

4. Exercise: A great way to work off the nervous anxiety you are feeling about everyone gathering at your home. The frustration of having to please relatives, who love to point out how great it was when your Aunt “greater-than-the-next-person”, held dinner at her house (even though you are positive last year they said cousin “only-if-everyone-else- cooks”, gave the best dinner). It also needed to help battle the few extra pounds trying to invade your hips thanks to that second helping of pie. Staying in shape will help when it comes to wearing those high heels this Holiday season.

Carlos Santana

5. Maintain a sense of humor: No one or any event is perfect. So, you might as well laugh along then cringe because. A tree tipping over (and we are crossing our finger that does not happen to you) will be a fantastic memory years from now.

6. Get rid of negative forces: Clutter: For the holidays many of us are cleaning our homes for the company we will have. Why not use this time to dig a little deeper into the clutter. Take a hour and clean your desk. Take time to organize the papers, the paperclips and the pens. It may seem silly to do but in the larger scheme of things, when the photographer calls with possible dates for those family photos, knowing exactly where a pen is will lower your stress levels by three degrees.

Chinese Laundry

Clean out your closet. Many of us are going to buy a pair or two of new high heels to wear for the holidays so, why not give a pair you have not worn or only worn once to charity. Shoes with a lower heel are good for charities that distribute shoes to women seeking jobs here in the states or in other countries
(Soles4souls.org).

If you need extra money for the holidays, take a few pairs of gently worn or never worn heels to a consignment shop that will pay you for them.

People: If possible avoid people with negative attitudes this time of year. Nothing will take away the beauty of freshly fallen snow, on a beautiful Christmas morning, faster then a person who is a Scrooge. If you have a family member who is complaining about their entire day every time you speak, and you are only trying to wish them a Happy Holiday, avoid them. Wishing them a Happy Holiday will most likely not change their outlook , however their negative thoughts
may only add to any anxiety you are already experiencing.

7. Have Realistic Expectations: As we stated above, no one or any event is perfect. Do not plan to achieve perfection; plan to have an enjoyable time with friends and family.

8. Make time for your significant other: In the midst of shopping, parties, and family gatherings, it can mean forgetting to give some time to the one you love.

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*Have a date night. Make reservations at a restaurant. Put on a gorgeous dress and a pair of high heels and enjoy each other’s conversation and presence. Avoid talk about anything to do with the holidays. This night is only about the two of you.
*A quiet night in. Make it romantic. Put on a piece of lingerie and a pair of sexy stilettos, gather some candles, massage oils and let nature take its course. (Sex is a great stress reliever).

9. Make “me” time: Put down the to-do list, put down the children’s wish list, and put down the shopping list. Go into the bathroom close the door, run the water, pour in the bubbles, and get in. Go in to your bedroom, turn up the music and dance. Call up a girlfriend for lunch. Stop by your favorite shoe shore and buy a new pair of high heels (to wear to the office party, of course).

Happy Holidays

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Also, tips for spending the holidays alone: Wish I Were Home for the Holidays.