Make the Mask Work for You

The global pandemic has brought a tremendous amount of change for all of us. Our daily lives have been greatly impacted. Social distancing, travel restrictions, group gathering restrictions, and business shutdowns have become the norm. Some things may get back to normal next year but the one thing that seems to be sticking around is the face cover or mask.

Wearing a face mask helps prevent the spread of germs. There are plenty of studies proving masks help prevent the spread of germs. Is it a perfect solution? No, but it is a simple solution that provides immediate protection.

It has taken time for us to learn to wear a mask. Essential workers who engage the public need to wear masks 8 hours a day. It can be daunting. Exercising in a face mask can also be a challenge. It takes time to get used to wearing it.

Wear a face mask for your workouts and find a mask that works for you. There are already an infinite number of face masks on the market. Every size, shape and material are available. Go to Amazon and type in “face mask” and you will see hundreds of options.

Start by finding a comfortable face mask that fits your face. Make sure you have plenty of room for breathing. It should not be too tight that it irritates your face. It also should not be so loose it slides down frequently. You should be able to put it on and take it off easily and quickly. The pandemic is going to be with us for quite a while and you might as well find the right face mask for you. You may want different face masks for different activities. An exercise mask may be different from the mask you wear to the grocery store.

Decide on the right level of protection for you. Do you need a N95 face mask? That is up to you to decide. There are all levels of protection available now. Early in the pandemic face masks were in short supply.  Now the demand for masks is well known and the supply of quality masks in sufficient supply has greatly increased.

As the pandemic wears on, you can expect new innovations with face masks.  The sports companies such as Nike and Adidas have their own branded face masks. Face masks for athletes will continue to improve as the demand grows. You will be able to find the best mask for your workouts. It can be comfortable and protective at the same time.

If you are wearing reusable cloth masks, remember to wash them regularly. Put them in the washer on the hottest setting to make the mask as sanitary as possible. When you have them clean and dry, store them in a cool, dark place away from your other clothing. Face masks are different from your socks and shirts. They need special attention and special care.