Heading into the great outdoors is a perfect way to get exercise, boost your mood and lower stress. But trying to do this in the heat and humidity of summer—while wearing a mask—can put a damper on the experience.

Masks are still needed to stem the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend wearing a mask when you’re in enclosed spaces with others or unable to maintain social distancing outdoors. In fact, recent evidence has shown that masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19—if everyone wears one.

But the idea of wearing a mask that makes you hot, sweaty, or less able to breathe fresh air can be a hard sell for many.

Why your mask feels hot
It’s no secret that wearing a mask is easier in April than in July. Breathing helps us regulate our temperature when it’s hot, so wearing a mask that traps heat near your face can feel stifling.

The problem gets worse when it’s hot and humid. The humidity common in the Philadelphia region prevents sweat from evaporating and cooling you off.

Fortunately, there are some ways to chill out while you mask up.