Try wearing quality leather gloves EVERY TIME you do anything from sweeping the porch to assembling a barbeque grill. I bought myself a nice pair of work gloves, make sure I wear them, and haven't gotten a blister or sore hands since.

I also wear them during walks in the woods. I found them invaluable when "crab walking" on all fours in a spot where the steeply inclined trail had washed out during a downpour. Also, if you need to grab a tree limb for stability, you have added grip strength and you won't mangle your palms.