Maybe it’s our perennially hot and humid climate, or our fascination with snow, thanks to K-dramas and memorable movies set in dreamy, icy wonderlands. Whatever it is, spending the holidays in cold and wintry destinations ranks high among Filipino travelers.
The key to staying warm and having a safe and healthy winter trip is to dress in layers. Start with breathable, moisture-wicking tops and full leggings topped as your base and top these with fleece, wool, and cashmere jackets.
In a 2024 report, the Department of Tourism noted that 655,640 Filipinos chose to spend Christmas and New Year abroad. And they didn’t need to go far. Based on studies, Hong Kong (coldest at 14°C in December), Japan (whose temps can dip to as low as 2°C in December), and South Korea (which can be a chilly -1°C) were the preferred countries to go to at year’s end.
While the nippy weather is a welcome reprieve from our scorching-hot and muggy temps, the cold and dry air can trigger certain illnesses that are easily spread when you’re in close contact with a group.
“There’s the common cold, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, and COVID-19,” enumerates Sheryll M. Cornejo, MD, General Practitioner at top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Cold weather may also be perceived to worsen pre-existing conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, and arthritis.”
Planning to spend most of your time outdoors? You could set yourself up for frostbite (the freezing of skin and underlying tissues, which causes numbness and can lead to permanent damage of skin), hypothermia (when body temperature drops below 35°C), and chilblains (swollen and blistered hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and damp conditions).
While these are realities of a wintry holiday, MakatiMed shares a quick guide on making the vacation not only memorable but also safe and healthy.
Assess the local weather forecast. The doctor underlines checking the common weather situation of your holiday destination during the time of your visit. “This helps you anticipate potential hazards— something we don’t usually experience in a tropical climate. Beyond extreme cold temperatures, you should check for snowfall, sleets, blizzards, and strong winds,” Dr. Cornejo points out. “This helps you prepare what clothing and essentials to pack.”
Update your health arsenal. Dr. Cornejo suggests getting flu and pneumonia vaccines before your trip as well as packing a medicine kit with maintenance meds and basic remedies for fever, cough and colds, sore throat, and allergies. The cold, dry wind can be brutal on your skin: bring moisturizer, lotion, and lip balm, the doctor adds. In some countries, you can purchase hand and body warmers that you can slide in your pockets or stick on your shirts to help keep you warm when out and about.
Dress appropriately. Packing for winter travel requires more than picking from your wardrobe staples. The goal is to stay comfortably warm in weather your body is not used to. The secret? Layering. Start with thermals— Long-sleeved tops and full-length leggings or pants made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric as your base. Add insulating pieces like fleece, wool, and cashmere sweaters and jackets, and top them with a sturdy coat or insulated outerwear to shield you from the biting cold.
“In cold weather, bring a beanie to cover your head and ears. Wrap a scarf around your neck, and wear waterproof gloves and mittens for your hands,” says Dr. Cornejo. “For places that experience winter, boots are a must. Wear thick socks before getting into waterproof boots with good traction against slippery ice and snow.”
Be vigilant. Feeling cold or under the weather despite bundling up? Alert your companions and seek immediate medical attention, notes Dr. Cornejo.
“Preparing to travel to a cold climate begins even before you book your flight and hotel,” adds the MakatiMed doctor. “Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting the recommended hours of sleep at night go a long way in keeping you healthy and strong for all types of weather and destinations.”
For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
