Mask Anxiety

[Gemma214]

Hey all, looking for some advice. I start an internship on Monday and since it's in person I'm required to wear a mask all day. I've worn the mask a few times already, but only for short periods. It makes me feel kind of panicky to have something covering my face and mouth and I start to feel super claustrophobic after only a few minutes. Does anybody have good techniques for dealing with this?

 

[Cuchculan]

If anything try and think about the safety aspect of wearing the mask. I know it is not nice. I was in a very packed shop yesterday and it was roasting. Had the mask on. All I thought of was that it was for my own good. Not nice when warm and stuffy. Want to rip it off. This is were breathing exercises come into play. More try and breathe through your nose. Might be easier. Hope you find a way to make it work for you.

 

[TruthHurts]

If anything try and think about the safety aspect of wearing the mask. I know it is not nice. I was in a very packed shop yesterday and it was roasting. Had the mask on. All I thought of was that it was for my own good. Not nice when warm and stuffy. Want to rip it off. This is were breathing exercises come into play. More try and breathe through your nose. Might be easier. Hope you find a way to make it work for you.

What doe's the mask that you use look like?

 

[Gemma214]

What doe's the mask that you use look like?

Standard medical mask- blue/cloth/with strings that go behind the ears

 

[Cuchculan]

There are lighter masks out there. Case of finding one. My guess is they are more paper made. Might buy them in packs. Use once only.

 

[MainerMikeBrown]

The problem I initially had with wearing a mask is that I had a hard time breathing when I had a mask on, especially when I was performing manual labor at a volunteer job.

But since then, I've gotten used to it.

 

[alwaysworried]

I always feel that way when wearing a mask too, especially when I've come in from outside and my breath feels especially hot around my face. I find that once I start doing things, that initial feeling of panic subsides in 5-15 minutes. As scary as it may seem, I promise you'll get used to it. And until you do - no shame in asking to use the bathroom or step outside and taking a breather for a few seconds.

 

[chickentender]

I felt panicky at first too, but I got used to it. I take a walk for an hour a day and keep the mask on due to where I live, there are a lot of people, so I just keep it on the whole time. I got used to it after the first week or two even in 90 something degree heat. Maybe try increasing your time wearing it at home while doing chores, etc.to normalize the feeling of wearing it before you have to wear it to work so you will be more used to it and less distracted on the job.