Medieval history/hobby/reenactment/recreation...

[Galahad]

Greetings Lords and Ladies,
I am sitting here trying to get used to this helm. It's an exercise in overcoming claustrophobia. I have a hand me down Japanese type helm with a chin strap. I don't know what I hate more at this point. The heaviness(eight pounds), or that my chin is held tight, I think it's the chin. I know it's better than a strap under my throat, but having my chin held freaks me out more than a bit. I'm trying to stretch out the time I can wear this thing here.... It helps to hold my glasses up to the grill. I'm not so frantic if I can see. If I can ever lay on my back in armour I'll have the claustrophobia whipped. No practice yet for me until I get a things fitting a little safer. Besides, it's just too hot here. Last night it was ninety at nine o'clock, and eighty plus at six thirty this am with smoke and humidity. Next week I hope to be ready to get hit. At my age, I worry about my chest/heart area getting hit, or my shoulders. Joints just take so long to heal. I can tell already that I want another helm. This is compressing my neck. Is that ok? A little over 13 minutes today.
How long do you wear your helm? How do you build strength in your neck? How do people get their glasses in there with them (I've seen them and never thought to ask)? What type of pauldrons do people like best?
Galahad