A year into the pandemic, many are still not used to wearing a mask when heading out or when indoors with people from different households. The level of discomfort when wearing face mask or covering differs from one person to another. Board-certified pulmonary disease physician Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., discusses on this blog four ways to practice mindfulness while wearing a mask.

Get used to wearing a mask. Practice at home for minutes and then gradually increasing the length of wearing a mask or covering to know the feeling of wearing one for extended periods of time. Know how it fits, how it feels, and how air is filtered through it. Feel the breath. Experts suggest reducing the intensity of workouts and activities when done while wearing a mask. It restricts breathing and might cause an individual to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and faint when pushed to their limit.

Try to relax when breathing starts to feel heavy and shallow. The last thing one wants to happen when experiencing difficulty in breathing with a mask on is taking it off and potentially exposing themselves to the virus. Stop and relax the shoulders and upper chest. Shoulder shrugs, arm circles, and arm stretches may help relieve the chest of any pain from breathing.

Practice deep breathing, says Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. Taking deep breaths in the morning and evening trains the mind to know the sensation of proper breathing and allows for the body to use all the right muscles when inhaling and exhaling.

Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. is an accomplished medical professional who received her degree in medicine from New York Medical College. She completed her fellowship in pulmonary medicine, sleep medicine, and critical care from the renowned Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. For more updates from Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., head over to this page.