Q: The skin around your heels is prone to dryness which can be exacerbated by improper care. When the skin becomes too dry, it loses much of its elasticity. This can result in cracked heels, and other ailments, over time. Dry, flaky skin can be a result of climate, such as very dry summers and/or cold winters. Being overweight, or pregnancy, can cause severe calluses. Increased weight intensifies pressure on the feet, particularly on the heels, and this frequently results in one or more calluses. Keep in mind that the extra weight requires more expansion of the heel, which usually results in cracking or splitting of the skin through the callus. Sticking with certain kinds of footwear, or no footwear at all, can dry out the skin around the heel.  Thongs, open backed or sling sandals are frequently the culprits. High heels can also cause heel discomfort and dryness. This can cause harm to your heels and feet in general. Hard floors can be detrimental your foot's health so try to wear orthopedic footwear. Your genetics have a rather large impact on your skin, including the skin on your feet. Dry skin, and wrong footwear, won't necessarily result in cracked heels for everyone. But it might happen rather quickly if you're genetically predisposed. Diabetes, for example, can decrease the moisture supply to the body, therewith resulting in more overall dryness. Thyroid problems have also been known to cause cracked heels.
A: Notice your skin's elasticity. Beware of excess weight. Avoid certain types of shoes to prevent foot pain and problems. Try to avoid standing at work, or at home, for extended periods of time. Know about your genes. Be aware of your general health.

Q: Depending on how big or cluttered your closet is, assess how long you think it will realistically take to complete the task. Mark it on your planner or calendar so you don’t forget about it. It is better to plan for too much time than not enough. That way, you have to finish the task before you go to bed. If you have any clothes in storage, take them out of their boxes and put them on your bed too. This also includes any jewelry! We don’t often realize how much dust and dirt can be inside our closet even though it is mostly closed. Use a disinfectant spray with some paper towels, a damp cloth, or even a duster to make all surfaces spotless. Finish with some air freshener and let your closet air out for a bit. Have one pile called “I love this!,” another called “Maybe I’ll keep this,” another labeled “Donate,” and finally a pile called “trash.” Work through the pile on your bed until it is all clear and you can sleep tonight! Feel free to get a drink of water and a congratulatory snack. The key with this step is to not think too much about each item. Hold the item up and go with your gut reaction. This will thin out your closet much quicker. Ask yourself the question, “Would I buy this if I saw it in stores?,” or “Do I see myself wearing this three months from now?” If the answer is “No” to these questions, throw these clothes into your bags for donation (unless it's an expensive or sentimental item). Congratulations! You now only have clothes you need and love!
A: Set aside part or even all of your day to clear your closet. Take absolutely everything out of your closet and put it on your bed. Deep clean your closet. Sort your closet contents into four piles. Sort through your remaining piles more thoroughly.

Q: According to the Royal Family's official policy, you should be free to write in whatever style you like. Politeness and respect will make any letter more kindly received, but that does not necessarily equate to using formal terms. Stay sincere, and do not use the formal terms below if they make you uncomfortable. " At the top of your letter, write "Madam," skip a line, and start writing your letter on the line below it. This is the formal and traditional term of address when writing a letter to the Queen of the United Kingdom. The traditional written conclusion is I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient servant, followed by your name. If you find this conclusion distasteful due to the declaration of servitude, or the insertion of the letter u in honour, consider one of the following respectful conclusions instead:  With greatest respect, Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, On the envelope, write the following postal address, using the last line only if you are mailing the letter from outside the UK:  The Queen Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1AA United Kingdom
A: Decide whether to use traditional forms. Begin the letter with "Madam. Conclude the letter with a respectful term. Mail the letter.

Q: A defensive reaction puts you in a fight-or-flight mode: this means that your body will show physical signs and put you in a state of heightened tension. Try to learn to recognize these signs. That way, you'll be able to nip any defensiveness in the bud when it starts.  Ask yourself: is your heart speeding up? Do you feel tense, anxious, or angry? Is your mind racing to come up with counter-arguments? Have you stopped listening to others? Look at your body language – what is it like? People who are feeling defensive often reflect that in their body language, crossing the arms, turning away, and closing off their body to others. Do you feel a strong urge to interrupt? Rest assured that one of the biggest giveaways that you're being defensive is saying, “I am NOT being defensive!” Your body is less able to take in information when it's in a heightened state of tension. To counteract the body's fight-or-flight reaction, try to bring your nervous system down by slow, measure breathing. Calm yourself before you do or say anything.  Inhale slowly to the count of five and exhale again to the count of five. Make sure to take a long, deep breath after your peers have stopped talking and you start. Give yourself space to breathe when you talk, as well. Slow down if you are talking too fast and racing through points. Interrupting to dispute someone's point or criticism is another big sign that you're being defensive. This is not helpful and makes you seem insecure and pigheaded. What's more, it's an indication that you still haven't gotten your emotions under control.  Try counting to ten every time you have the urge to butt in. After ten seconds, there's a good chance the conversation will have moved on and your rebuttal won't be relevant. Increase the count to twenty or even thirty if you are still tempted. Catch yourself when you interrupt, as well. Stop speaking mid-sentence and apologize for your rudeness, in order to build up your discipline. If your emotions are too heightened to have a reasonable exchange, consider excusing yourself and asking to pick up the conversation later. You won't get much from a talk with co-workers or family members if you can't listen to what they have to say. This doesn't mean avoiding the conversation – it means postponing it.  Say something like, “I'm really sorry Cindy. We need to have this talk, but right now is not a good time for me. Can we do this later in the afternoon?” Make sure to affirm the importance of the conversation while excusing yourself, i.e. “I know this is an important topic to you and I want to talk about it calmly. But right now I don't feel so calm. Can we try later? When you're defensive, your body is under elevated levels of stress. To help yourself calm down, find ways to relax and release that tension. This will not only help you manage the extra stress but can also help you improve your wellbeing.  Relaxation techniques can help you slow your breathing as well as focus your attention. Try yoga, meditation, or tai chi, for example. You can also try more active ways to relax. Working out through walking, running, sports, or other forms of exercise can have similar stress-reducing effects.
A:
Recognize the physical signs of defensiveness. Take deep breaths. Don't interrupt. Ask to have the conversation later. Find ways to beat stress.