As wallets are shrinking across the US, many people are trading in vacations for staycations. A staycation is when you stay home, yet travel to nearby area attractions. For many, fun staycations are possible. This is particularly true in Memphis, Tennessee.

Memphis, Tennessee, is located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. It is in the southwest corner of the state. Families living in northeast Arkansas and Northwest Mississippi can still partake in fun staycations around the Memphis, Tennessee area. Not sure where to go on your staycation? Here are some great options:

Memphis Zoo: For just $79 annually, families around the Memphis area can visit the Memphis Zoo and have free parking all year long. There are a variety of special events, and the Zoo membership can even be used at other zoos across the nation. The Zoo is open from 9 to 4 or 9 to 5, depending on the time of year. It is located at 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis TN.

Beale Street: Couples without kids can bask in all the wonderful jazz music Memphis has to offer on Beale Street. Park at the Peabody Place parking garage and take your parking chip to Rum Boogie Café on the corner of Beale and 3rd to validate your parking. Once validated, your parking is only $1, allowing you to spend more money on the fun the city has to offer.

Graceland: Every resident of Memphis should visit Graceland at least once in their life. Located on Elvis Presley Boulevard, Graceland is easily accessible from I-55. If you have the money to splurge, you can even stay a night at the Heartbreak Hotel. This is a must-see stop for any Elvis Presley fan!

Mud Island Park: A great feature at the Mud Island Park is a model of the Mississippi River drawn to scale. There are plenty of parks, and places to sit and watch the barges and ferries go up and down the river banks. This is the perfect staycation for a family that wants to take a picnic lunch down to a park and relax and have a good time.

When taking a Memphis staycation, don’t forget to stay comfortable. Casual comfort shoes are a necessity for men, women, and children alike, as nothing is worse than wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes all day long.

Each day we are exposed to thousands of images and sounds. These things are used to communicate information from one person or group to another. However, while we need these interactions with information on a daily basis, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of information that is presented to us in the form of electronic media, printed media and auditory media. Overexposure to information can lead to information stress which can cause headaches, anxiety, paranoia and other socio-emotional problems. Fortunately there are several ways to manage information stress.

Control Your Exposure to Information

The first thing that you can do to manage your information stress is to control the amount of information you are exposed to each day. You can do this by selecting to avoid certain information sources and by limiting the amount of time you actively search for information that is not essential to your daily chores. By limiting how much exposure you have to information you will improve your mind’s ability to process the information that it is exposed to.

Find a Point of Balance

On a daily basis we actively and passively are exposed to information. Passive information gathering is done by absorbing information that is found in our environment. Information is found everywhere including billboards, television, radio and through conversations that we engage in directly or indirectly. Active information gathering occurs when we mindfully select to search for information.

In order to reduce your information stress you need to find a point of balance for your active and passive information gathering tendencies. This point of balance can be accomplished by giving your mind a break through meditation, nature hikes and other non-informational experiences. It can also be done by moderating your information gathering behaviors.

Meditation and Relaxation

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information that you are exposed to then you need to consider meditation. Meditation is a great exercise for mind relaxation. To practice meditation you will want to slip into comfortable clothing and a pair of cozy slippers . Then you will want to find a quiet spot that can be darkened. Relax, focus on your breathing and try to block out words, sounds and other sources of information. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes a day and you will notice your information stress level will be reduced.

References:
Seaward, Brian Luke. (2004). Managing Stress: A Creative Journal, Third Edition. Mississauga, ON: Jones and Bartlett Publishers Canada.

Our Blogger Brett H. just got back from the great city of New York after spending a week with the good people from Rockport. Friday morning, they officially relaunched the DresSport, their dress shoe that is truly as light and comfortable as an athletic shoe. To prove their point, they had 8 people running in the NYC Marathon on Sunday wearing the DresSports! Also, CLICK HERE to enter the Run Rockport Run Sweepstakes!

Below is more video from our Rockport/Zappos event on Thursday in Grand Central:

Choosing a comfortable dress shoe can be a very difficult undertaking. There are many things to consider when selecting a comfortable dress shoe for both women and men. Familiarity with various brands and an understanding of the shape of your feet will go a long way in determining an ideal and comfortable dress shoe.

There are three foot shapes that a majority of the population has: flat foot, normal foot, and high arch.

Flat feet can be hereditary, or flat feet can develop over years of foot abuse. Shoes that fully support your arch and that have a firm heel counter are recommended for stability and strength. Women with flat feet should consider the Drew Lora . This shoe offers a removable insole that can be replaced with custom orthotic insoles prescribed by a doctor. Men should try the P.W. Minor 5th Avenue .

Those with normal feet can typically wear any comfort dress shoe without any major problems. Keep in mind that you still need to make sure that you have proper arch support and an excellent fit in order for a pair of comfortable dress shoes to be effective. Women should try a nice comfortable dress shoe such as the Easy Spirit Ilene . Men will find a superb comfortable dress shoe when they wear the Mephisto Squall .

Individuals with high arches have a lot of foot pain. Custom orthotic insoles are oftentimes used by individuals with high arches to alleviate pain. Those that have foot pain that is not severe enough to go see a specialist need to make sure they are wearing shoes with the right support and that have a great fit. Aetrex Sarah is a great comfortable dress shoe for women with high arches. The shoes have removable insoles, providing you with the ability to wear custom orthotics without wearing a shoe that screams “I’m orthotic.” Men should try the Drew Arlington .

Uncomfortable feet make for an uncomfortable life. Finding a great pair of comfortable dress shoes is very important.

With flu season right around the corner, nurses all over are preparing for double shifts. Nurses take care of all our aches and pains, and make us comfortable during our most trying times. All the while, many nurses are stuck with stiff, uncomfortable shoes.

Nothing’s worse than pulling a double shift with throbbing feet, which is why the weekly comfort item caters to our nation’s favorite medical providers. Nurse Mates Faith Mary Jane style shoes are both adorable and comfortable. Available in two colors, feel free to wear Nurse Mates Faith shoes paired with any of your favorite decorative scrubs. Dickie’s Medical Mini Wrap Top and Dickie’s Medical Cargo pants in dark gray look fabulous with a pair of black Nurse Mates Faith shoes.

Why are comfortable nursing shoes so important? Comfortable nursing shoes are important because a nurse has to be comfortable in order to make her patients comfortable. A nurse needs to be pleasant – and it’s hard to be pleasant when your feet are achy and sore. Nurse Mates is a brand that has been setting the bar for safety standards since 1961. Comfortable nursing shoes must also be slip resistant, as liquids on tile hospital floors can pose significant slip risks. All Nurse Mates shoes exceed ASTM slip-resistant qualifications.

What else can nurses and other medical providers do for their tired, achy feet other than wear comfortable nursing shoes? Try products such as AHAVA The Source Mineral Foot Treatment . Simply massage a generous amount into your feet and legs to prevent rough soles and to rejuvenate tired feet.

This flu season nurses need to make sure to keep their feet especially comfortable. With the H1N1 epidemic expected to explode, nurses will be on their feet for several hours at a time. Shoes such as Nurse Mates Faith and Nurse Mates Amber and products such as AHAVA The Source Mineral Foot Treatment are all available to make the life of nurses more comfortable and healthy.

Pregnancy can make a woman feel uncomfortable all over. The weekly comfort items this week will help pregnant women stay comfortable throughout those nine months.

Maternal America is a great brand that features products made right here in the USA. With the economy the way it is, a weekly comfort item made in the USA is a great way to stay comfortable and support your fellow Americans. Maternal America’s Whitney Leggings are available in black and white. These leggings are the perfect compliment to your favorite dresses, skirts and tunics. The stretchy fabric is very forgiving on even the most swollen belly. Pair these leggings with Olian Maternity’s Animal Print dress for a wild office or evening look. Black Whitney Leggings with Maternal America’s Maternal Flutter Sleeve Tunic is also another fabulous look.

Another thing that makes pregnant women uncomfortable is their feet. Naot Footwear Mover is a great black clog that is the perfect comfort shoe for pregnant women. Dressy enough for the office, they are perfect for casual or dressier days. The open heel allows you to slip off your shoes so that you can rub your aching feet. In addition, the natural latex and cork footbed molds to your feet and helps wick away moisture.

Naot Footwear is quality footwear. According to the product description, “Naot shoes feature a unique anatomical footbed that replicates the contours of the foot, just like the footprint left when walking in the sand. The production process includes an innovative technology designed to maintain foot health. Naot uses the finest and highest quality raw materials combined with superior standards of advanced design.” Naot only uses the best, just like you expect only the best for you and your little bundle of joy and the Naot Footwear Mover will take you through your pregnancy and beyond.

It’s no secret that pregnant women can be very uncomfortable, but there are plenty of comfort items available that will make your transition into becoming a mommy fashionable, fun and comfortable.

Casual comfort is important to women of all walks of life. Even more important is the need to stay comfortable without looking sloppy. Business casual fashionistas can keep their feet comfortable all day long in any condition with this week’s comfort item, Arcopedico L14 shoes.

Arcopedico L14 shoes are made by Arcopedico, a company founded in 1966 by Professor Elio Parodi. Comfort and style were two key elements that were very important to Professor Elio Parodi. Since 1966, his company has been providing us with fashionable comfort footwear that boasts three basic traits.

The first trait featured in Arcopedico L14 shoes is techno elastic uppers which allow your foot to expand and move around without a binding or constricting affect. Second, these shoes feature an anatomic foot bed. Instead of feeling like your foot is in a block, your foot will feel as if the shoe was created with your foot in mind. Third, Arcopedico L14 shoes feature a twin arch support system for added comfort.

The comfort features in all of Professor Parodi’s creations are patented. You won’t be able to find the same amount of comfort anywhere else. Furthermore, the shoe’s design actually helps you strengthen your leg muscles. Strengthened leg muscles lead to less discomfort when walking long distances. Most Arcopedico shoes are designed with a casual lifestyle in mind and Arcopedico L14 shoes are a fashionable slip on shoe featuring a synthetic and textile upper with a 1” rubber heel.

These shoes go perfectly with a pair of khaki slacks and a button front shirt on casual Friday. They also are very adorable when worn with a pair of slouchy jeans and a form fitting polo shirt . They are the perfect shoe for any woman with a casual and laid-back lifestyle.

Go ahead, try a pair of Arcopedico L14 shoes. They are available in blue, red, and camel, so there is a pair that will work with any wardrobe and for $87, this weekly comfort item comes at an affordable price.

When someone mentions UGG footwear, most people think of a woman’s boot that features a suede shoe with a wool lining. Many women can be seen sporting UGG boots throughout the year. What most people don’t realize is that UGG has footwear for both men and women, and their styles aren’t limited to the classic UGG boot. This week’s weekly comfort item is UGG Hamersley shoes for men.

UGG Hamersley is a rugged slip-on shoe that is designed to keep your feet comfortable and dry. It is available in both black and brown. A thick sheepskin insole helps to wick away moisture, and makes you feel as if you are wearing slippers. Unlike the classic UGG boots, you can not see the sheepskin lining in these men’s shoes. To everyone else, you will look like you are wearing a pair of black or brown slip-on comfort shoes.

What does a fashionable man wear with a pair of UGG Hamersley shoes? These shoes are so versatile that you can wear them with anything, ranging from casual attire to business casual attire.

The weekly comfort item also looks spectacular with a pair of loose fit jeans and an Ed Hardy T-shirt . If the weather is a bit chillier, you can throw on a sweatshirt over your T-Shirt for a great layered look. A button front shirt and pair of jeans is also a great casual outfit that will work well with a pair of UGG Hamersley shoes.

A man that needs to be a little dressier can wear a pair of UGG Hamersley shoes with a pair of khaki pants and a polo shirt. If it’s casual Friday at the office, a sport coat could be added to this business casual outfit without looking too dressy.

The truth is, a pair of UGG Hamersley shoes are the perfect option for a man’s wardrobe. These shoes are very comfortable, keep your feet dry and warm and are extremely versatile. From heading to the sports bar with the guys to casual Friday at the office, this weekly comfort item will please even the pickiest men.