All you need to know about working out with a mask on

 

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Wearing a mask when in public or when with individuals from different households reduces a person’s chances of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus or infecting others when they unknowingly carry it. As gyms and parks reopen, more and more people are exercising outside of their homes. Dr. Lisa M. Cannon walks her readers through on exercising with a mask on. 

In general, exercising with a mask on is safe. Long before the pandemic hit the world, many sports brands have tried to introduce face masks that help improve an athlete’s performance. However, the situation calls for the kind of mask that protects one from respiratory droplets and airborne particles. A person with underlying respiratory health issues must consider working out in the comfort of their own home so they won’t need to wear a mask while exercising. 

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Unlike normal breathing, exercising with a mask or face cover reduces the oxygen flow into the lungs. It makes training difficult as there is less oxygen inhaled. Therefore, less oxygen flowing through the bloodstream and muscles. Athletes with incredible strength and endurance are not exempt from feeling fatigued much faster when wearing a face cover. 

According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, one should be mindful about their breathing when working out with a mask on. It is advised to take breathing breaks often, but in safe places. When a person feels dizzy, fatigued, and out-of-balance during a workout, it is advised that they stop immediately. While the body will eventually adapt to the new normal, it’s best to not overdo it.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon earned her medical degree from New York College of Medicine and her fellowship in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep medicine from Mount Sinai Hospital. She is a pulmonologist with more than 15 years of experience in her field. Visit this page to know more about Dr. Lisa M. Cannon.

How choosing the time to exercise affects overall wellness and sleep

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Looking at health and wellness from all angles, doctor and sleep expert Dr. Lisa M. Cannon has researched the various factors affecting a person’s sleep. To say that many things are affecting the quality and duration of sleep is an understatement.

For this blog, Dr. Lisa M. Cannon wishes to address exercise, specifically the time of day people work out, in relation to its effect on a person’s overall wellness and sleep.

A rather hot topic in fitness circles, the time a person works out has been studied as much as anything else in the universe of exercise. With factors such as personal goals and daily schedules, individuals have had their own say at which time is best.

Typically, people who live extremely active lifestyles with day jobs love working out in the morning, explaining that doing so gives them the energy to tide them over the day. A plus is that working out in the mornings helps people avoid huge crowds. On the other hand, people who don’t exactly love mornings work out at the end of their workday (late afternoon or evening), saying that it’s a great way to relieve themselves of the stresses of the day.

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In the context of sleep, there are two beliefs. Morning workouts use up a person’s energy enough to tire them by the end of the day, creating a feeling for a good night’s rest. Exercising at the end of the day, however, may help a person burn more fat and sleep better.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon believes that while both times are good for one’s overall health, some people who work out at night find it harder to sleep due to the adrenalin spike, she adds.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon graduated from New York Medical College in 1991 and completed her pulmonary fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital. She was affiliated with Pascack Valley Hospital and the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. Dr. Cannon has since focused on her own private practice in New Jersey. For more articles like this, visit this blog.