Wearing a mask right now is of course important, but it can get uncomfortable. I know my mask can get hot and damp from my own breath, and if it’s not a good material, it can get hard to breathe (this is especially a problem if you’re an asthmatic like me). There are a few ways you can lessen the discomfort of wearing a mask, and still stay safe.
Possibly the most important thing you can do is to consider the fabric—if you’re wearing something other than a standard store bought surgical mask. Always, always go for cotton. It’s breathable and the moisture within the mask will dry faster. Depending upon the thickness, it can be much cooler (of course make sure it’s thick enough).
Take a break from wearing a mask when you can. If you’re driving alone, you don’t necessarily need to wear a mask. If you’re alone on a walk or in a wide open space, taking a break from the mask could be okay, depending on the circumstances of where you are.
Change out masks every few hours, or when you feel it’s needed, if you can. If I was doing my ten hour day on my campus, I would have brought four or five masks with me to change through (about one every two hours). This will keep the mask from building up germs, as well as keeping you from getting too hot from the moisture the mask has built up.
There are a lot of fashion masks out there, including the ones that are connected to scarfs or shawls that wrap around or go over your neck. I recommend to avoid using those until winter, or until cooler weather, since it’s still summer and plenty hot.
Wearing a mask is essential right now, but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Even just doing one thing from this list can be a big help (for me, it’s especially using cotton versus synthetic fabrics). Stay safe, stay well, and be as comfortable as possible!