Are masks good or bad for your breathing?

It’s been almost seven months that we've been masked up. News about carbon dioxide toxicity caused by wearing a mask hit headlines a while ago. Experts say wearing a mask will not harm your health but people still question how it is affecting our breathing. My former yoga teacher and breathing coach, Lucas Rockwood from YogaBody has designed his own test and come up with an answer.

Article by BWG founder, Bella Trost

According to Lucas wearing a mask is great.

Most people breathe at a rate of 15-20 breaths per minute. Masks tend to slow this down towards the 8-12 range. Over-breathing reduces CO2 which sounds good but it is not. CO2 plays a vital role in the dilation of air passageways and the release and absorption of oxygen into our blood. With a mask, you recycle some of your CO2 and it can calm your nerves and help in training and optimizing breathing.

It might sound strange but it seems that for anyone who is interested in yoga breathing, reducing stress responses and breath training in general, wearing a mask is actually beneficial.

Lucas suggests wearing a disposable surgical mask (not a cloth or homemade one) as they are the best for comfort and protection. Change your mask frequently, and don’t touch the mask at all, just the strings. And always breathe through your nose!

Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.