Masks. It seems like they are going to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future.
What I have been seeing in my clinic and also when I have personally experienced, is that they are having an impact on peoples health.
I personally have experienced things like headaches, neck pain, neck and shoulder tension, a foggy feeling in my head, low energy and even a sore throat. I experienced them the first time we had mandatory masks in February, and I honestly put it down to being a bit of a coincidence and to the added stress. But then I had the same things in May, when they were again mandatory. And I am expecting the same things again now
And I know that I am not alone. In my experience, and what I have seen in my clinic, during periods of compulsory masks, is that other people are experiencing the same things as me. Headaches. Neck pain. Shoulder and neck tension. Low energy. A lot of them did the same thing as me and put it down to stress. Which, in my opinion, is absolutely a component of it.
But there is also a physical aspect to it as well. When you wear a mask, you are simply not getting fresh oxygen each time you breathe in a lot of masks. Whether this has an actual or perceived impact, is yet to be shown, but both can can lead to headaches and lethargy. I find that I hold my head and neck differently when wearing a mask. My posture changes. I tend to jutt my chin and face forward more so that people can hear me better. This can all lead to headaches, neck pain, neck and shoulder tension, lethargy and even a sore throat from using your voice differently. Myself, and others I have spoken to, have also found they drink less water when wearing a mask, which can again lead to all of the issues I mentioned above!
Now - please don't take this as me saying that you shouldn't wear a mask when they are mandatory, that is not what I am saying at all. I am simply saying that maybe you need to take note of how it is having an impact on you and your body.
Here are some of my top tips for decreasing the impact of mask wearing on your body.
1- Be aware of your posture whilst wearing one. Take time to focus on having your shoulders back and down, chest open and head in a good position with your ears over your shoulders.
2- Set an alarm or alert to remind yourself to drink water
3- Do regular stretches whilst wearing the mask. Stretches for your neck, shoulders and upper back are suggested. If you need help with this, please ask!
4- Move your body as much as you can! Especially outside if that means you don't need to wear a mask (depending on where you are!). You then also get the benefits of fresh air.
5- Take off your mask when you can - for example you don't need to wear it in your car if you are the only one in it, or you are in it with your partner or children.
6- Try different sorts of masks - some people prefer material, some prefer disposable.
7- Take time to de- stress your body. Stop and breathe. Slow and deep for 5-10 minutes a day minimum. Journaling and talking to friends and family helps as well. There are also lots of helplines available if you need.
8- Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. This may be a chiro, physio, osteopath, OT or massage therapist just to name a few. See someone who can help you with the negative physical aspects of mask wearing. It is an added bonus if they do techniques such as Neuro Emotional Technique (N.E.T.) like I do, so that we can also deal with the physiological impact of stress that we are all feeling at the moment.
As always, this advice is general. You should always speak to your healthcare provider who knows you and your body. This is purely based on what I have personally experienced and what I see both in my clinic and also by talking to friends and family. So please, know that there are things that can be done to help make this time a little easier. Both physically and mentally. And please reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything I can do to help.
Remember : we are all in this together!
