Men's LifeStyle Blog

You read the online reviews, had your foot properly measured, and bought the best pair of work boots that money could buy. Or maybe you compromised and bought what looked like the best pair of boots your employer would pay for. Either way, the boots that seemed like they would be good enough to wear to work after being broken in have instead become unwearable.

Concrete Is One Of The Hardest Surfaces To Work On

Even when we do everything right, a pair of works boots that fit right out of the box can become unbearably uncomfortable, especially when you’re wearing boots on concrete floors. With 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons, there’s a lot in a foot that can go wrong.

A boot that is putting pressure on your toes can cause rubbing that results in blisters, calluses and corns. If your toes are compressed, it may lead to deformities like hammer toes. Because safety boots have rigid toes, this isn’t something that’s going to work itself out by breaking the boot in. If your toes are uncomfortable now standing on hard surfaces all day, things will only get worse over time.

Boots that don’t offer proper arch support or cushioning can lead to plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the ligament that attaches your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive strain injury, and may not immediately present symptoms. If left untreated, Foot problems, like plantar fasciitis, can lead to tearing of the ligament and heel spurs. To address these issues effectively, consult with a Pinnacle Podiatrist Sydney for professional diagnosis and treatment options.

Another common repetitive strain injury that can be caused by ill-fitting boots is metatarsalgia. This presents itself as pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, and can be a symptom of other underlying conditions in the toes, heel or ankle. Metatarsalgia can lead to painful nerve damage if not properly addressed.

Boots For Concrete Can Need Special Insoles

As soon as any pain starts in your feet, it’s time to either replace your boots or look into getting orthotics to prevent further damage. Don’t keep wearing those boots to work hoping that things will work themselves out. Spending all day on your feet, on hard surfaces like concrete, at a work site with ill-fitting boots can quickly turn a small discomfort into a debilitating injury.

So what can be done to ensure the boots you wear to work fit properly? After buying a pair of boots, wear them around the house for a while to ensure there’s no tightness or friction between the boots and your feet. If there is and the boots are still in new condition, you’ll be able to take them back and exchange them for a different pair. Make sure to buy boots that have the correct safety requirements in terms of standards. Also, don’t take for granted that your new boots will fit fine because they’re by the same manufacturer in the same size as your last pair. Manufacturers change the style, fit and materials in boots all the time, either to cut costs or follow certain trends. There’s no substitute for spending time searching for the right fit. With so many options on the market, you don’t have to settle for something that isn’t right for you. Your perfect boot is out there.

For some men, decorating a home comes easy.  They simply tap their inner Martha Stewart and create a luxurious home that looks like it belongs in a design magazine.  But such men are the exception. Many single guys or divorced men tend to live like they were still in college.  But there’s no need for that.  In fact, with a little help and a modest budget you can turn your pad into a home that you’re proud to live in (and show off to the fairer sex).

Get Your Bed Off The Floor

If you’re over thirty years old and your bed is still on the floor you need to set some goals for the year.  If you’re still on a futon then you really need to heed this advice:  Get yourself a decent mattress and a stylish bed frame. This needn’t be a super expensive undertaking.  Casper and Tuft & Needle both offer great mattress and frame combinations.  Not only will your sleep improve but your bedroom will look much, much better.

Ditch The Black Leather Couch

While leather couches had a moment in the 1980s they have been out of style for a long, long time.  And they were never that comfortable or inviting to begin with. Your couch is the soul of your living room, and you want something that is comfortable and inviting.  Choose a fabric that is soft and easy on the skin, such as this beauty from West Elm. There are plenty of choices out there that are manly and modern but also offer the coziness a couch needs to have (even if you’re just watching reruns of 24 on it).

Turn Your Bathroom Into A Retreat

Take a look around your bathroom. Does it feel like a place a woman would want to spend time? If not, you have some work to do. Chances are a thorough cleaning is a good place to start. So is investing in some under cabinet organizational items to keep the clutter down.  If you have a shower curtain (and own your home) consider adding a glass door.  Maybe add a shower head with more massage options. Changing light fixtures is an inexpensive way to make the room seem new as well.

Keep Your Party Favors Hidden

You’re an adult. That means you can drink and have parties when you want to. But it doesn’t mean your place needs to look like the main frat from Animal House. Keep your bottles stashed in a kitchen counter or behind a bar. If you live in a state where cannabis is legal at the recreational level maybe consider a humidor with a lock to hold (and hide) your stash and a special box to hold your favorite bong.  If you’re really concerned about reducing the odor that come from smoke consider investing in a good vaporizer, available at any trusted online headshop. And by all means, ditch the Cheech & Chong posters.

Invest In Good Sheets And Towels

As an adult you are entitle to some simple pleasures.  And there is nothing better than investing in some good sheets and some quality bath towels.  Considering how much time you spend sleeping, great bedding is a no brainer. Look for thread counts over 500 (though it’s not JUST about thread counts) and items made of natural fibers. In terms of towels, go with thick, plush and a darker color. The plusher the better.  While you’re at it throw in a couple of nice memory foam bath mats as well.

The winter of 2018/2019 is shaping up to be a record breaker, wherever you may be flaunting your style and fashion. Global warming and other as yet unexplained phenomena are causing extreme weather patterns that leave scientists scratching their heads in confusion. But that’s no reason to be confused about what you should be wearing this winter to be ahead of the trend, to look good, and to feel comfortable.

The biggest trend to come out of the fashion shows this Autumn in Paris and Milan is ‘Making it Oversize.’ Coats and jackets for men and women are going capacious, making them roomy and accommodating for all sorts of zigs and zags during a night on the town or a dash down a slalom.

Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez are just two of the many models showing off their haute couture without form fitting wrappings, but by letting the bagginess and bigness do all the talking for them.

The oversized option is also a smart move, health wise. Binding material around the wrists and waist tend to cut down the circulation of the blood, making it harder for the body to keep hands and legs warm in the cold winter temperatures. The chaffing involved is also bad for the skin, causing redness, dryness, and even incipient eczema. So go big and stay cool!