Enjoy the cold weather while it lasts

Christmas has passed, but it still feels like December, thanks to the cold weather we’ve been experiencing the past few weeks. I’m loving it! I’m not alone on this as so many people are heading to Baguio where temperatures had gone down to a low of 8.1 degrees Celsius. Here in Metro Manila, or at least in Quezon City, temperature dropped to 19 degrees Celsius! Chilly.

I need not say more how much I love the cold more than the piercing heat of the sun, the mountains more than I do the beach. But the recent drop in temperature not only here in the Philippines but in other parts of the globe should get us thinking about the impact of climate change. If you don’t want to think about the impact, you must at least feel the impact of climate change on your health. 

People coughing all over the place and incidence of stroke in Baguio are few of the reasons why we should take the cold a little more seriously than just a friendly breeze. Apparently, there are other health conditions that can be associated with the cold and it’s better to be more aware of them because some have serious consequences. I’m not pretending to be a health expert, OK? But I did ask some doctors about the repercussions of the cold weather to our health. 

Cardiologist Tony Leachon sent me an article from Health Central about the cold weather and the human body. Notice any of the symptoms? 

Weight gain. It may be due to Vitamin D Deficiency. Don’t be surprised if you’re gaining weight during the cold weather. It’s not much for the lack of perspiration but because of the lack of sun exposure. It’s good porma for the cold weather to bring out the turtlenecks, scarves, long sleeves and even the beanies, but being all covered up has an effect on your health. I read from the Best Life Diet book of Bob Greene on how Vitamin D helps in our metabolism because it breaks down fat. The lack of Vitamin D slows it down. 

Sleepless and pensive during the cold weather? People tend to be more depressed during the cold weather and to a certain extent, it can be caused by hormones — specifically the melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin is what helps us sleep, while serotonin makes us happy. In colder months, the body produces more melatonin and less serotonin. So if you’re gloomy, maybe it’s good to exercise to increase your happy hormones, serotonin. One sure way to uplift your mood is exercise. It will also make you sleep better.

Cough and colds. I’ve always thought that the cold weather makes our immune system go down, but rather the reason why we get infected by the flu virus is because they love the cold. It stays airborne longer than in warm and humid climate. So don’t be surprised if everyone in your workplace starts developing a cold that doesn’t seem to go away, but just passed on from one person to the next.

Muscle and joint stiffness. When I heard my Mama Elaine who’s based in Baguio that her fingers feel like they are frozen or naninigas, it was not figuratively speaking. Explained simply, our bodies lose its elasticity like “rubber band placed in the fridge,” according to Health Central. Because our bodies are made up mostly of water, we lose our elasticity during cold weather. According to Health Central, there is a “strong relationship between cold, damp days and arthritic flare-ups.” Omega 3-fatty acids, Vitamin K and Vitamin C may help with painful joints

Breathless during activity? That may be due to exercise-induced asthma. Different factors may trigger asthma, from animal hair to the changes in the climate. â€œThis condition usually occurs when there is increased ventilation of dry, cool air, which causes the lungs to lose heat and/or moisture and causes the airways to narrow during exercises,” shares Health Central. Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest, coughing. Health Central suggests to warm up for 10 minutes before exercise. To warm the air that we inhale, cover your mouth and nose. 

High blood pressure. Of all the symptoms caused by the cold weather, this is what I find the most worrisome. Because of the cold weather, the blood vessels constrict. To demonstrate what happens inside our body, imagine a garden hose. When you squeeze the hose, water pressure increases. Hence, people with heart conditions may experience chest pain, or worse, have an attack. A friend whose family lives in Baguio is encouraging her parents to stay in Metro Manila for the time being. That sounds like a good idea. If you have hypertension, avoid the cold because there are risks. Don’t just rely on your Lipitor.

Dry skin, dry hair and weak nails (or all of the above? ). Trivia: Our nails grow faster during warm weather than the cold. Anyway, our nails become brittle because they lack keratin. The body has its way of adapting, so instead of using the keratin for our nails, it transfers the keratin to our body to keep us warm. As for the hair, “the cold weather can warp the hair cuticles and make hair scales weak,” according to Health Central. What I do is use an extra dose of lotion, and I drink lots of water to keep myself hydrated. Water can do wonders to your health. 

There’s no stopping us from enjoying the lovely cold weather. I love the cozy feeling of being tucked underneath those thick comforters to the point of hibernation. So by all means, go to Baguio, but please be ready about what to expect. Stay warm by the lovely fireplace, but be sure to go out and try to enjoy the sun as the cold breeze touches your skin. 

P.S. If you’re going to Baguio this Panagbenga, do prepare for the heavy, heavy traffic — a healthy tip to manage your stress. Enjoy. 

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