Filipinos entering February are experiencing subtle shifts in energy, sleep, and mood as the northeast monsoon, locally known as Amihan, persists while gradually giving way to rising heat and humidity ahead of the late dry season.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Amihan typically weakens by mid- to late March, marking the transition toward the dry season. During this period, daytime heat indices can reach levels classified as “danger,” ranging from 42°C to 51°C in parts of Metro Manila and Central Luzon, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
Meanwhile, climate and health research from the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies heat stress as one of the leading weather-related health hazards. Heat can worsen existing medical conditions and affect sleep, cognition, and emotional regulation.
This pattern does not reflect the classic Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) seen in colder climates. Instead, in the tropical Philippines, evolving weather conditions intersect with daily routines in ways that can influence well-being, sleep quality, and mood.
Amihan to dry heat: a seasonal transition with real effects
Across the Philippines, Amihan brings relatively cooler and drier mornings and evenings, especially in northern and central regions. PAGASA meteorologists note that February serves as a transition month between the northeast monsoon and the warmer, drier conditions that define the dry season.
The shift is gradual rather than abrupt. Even while Amihan winds persist, heat and humidity intensify during midday and afternoon hours.
During this transition, the heat index, which measures how hot conditions feel to the human body, becomes a critical indicator. PAGASA advisories regularly urge the public to monitor heat index levels due to risks such as heat stress, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion.
During the early dry season in March 2025, PAGASA reported “danger” heat index levels in several Luzon areas, including Metro Manila, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, and Olongapo City. These readings highlight that intense tropical heat often arrives even before the dry season formally peaks.
As PAGASA continues to monitor weather patterns through late March and April, elevated heat levels are expected to persist even as Amihan fully dissipates.
READ: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Heat and the mind
Heat affects more than the body—it also affects the mind. According to a WHO fact sheet on heat and health, heat stress can worsen underlying medical conditions, including mental health symptoms.
Peer-reviewed research published in Journal of Climate Change and Health links extreme heat exposure to psychological stress, disrupted sleep, and fatigue, all of which can contribute to mood changes and reduced well-being.
Similarly, a systematic review in Environmental Health Perspectives found that higher ambient temperatures and heatwaves are associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including increased emergency room visits related to mood and anxiety disorders.
Research summarized by the American Psychiatric Association also notes associations between extreme heat and increased irritability, depressive symptoms, aggression, and suicide risk, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Although many of these studies come from temperate settings, the biological mechanisms are relevant in tropical contexts. Heat can disrupt sleep, alter stress hormone regulation, and affect neurotransmitter systems involved in mood regulation.
Importantly, these findings do not suggest that everyone exposed to heat will develop a mental health disorder. Rather, sustained heat acts as a stressor that can influence energy, sleep, and emotional regulation, especially during prolonged dry-season transitions like the one unfolding now.
Climate change and emotional well-being
In the Philippines, climate and weather are lived realities rather than abstract concepts.
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2023 found that 87% of adult Filipinos reported personally experiencing the effects of climate change over the past three years. About 81% believed these impacts pose risks to mental health.
Among respondents, sadness, anxiety, and fear ranked as the most common emotional responses linked to climate change. At the same time, many also reported feelings of patience, hope, and calmness.
Dr. Renzo Guinto, chair of the Philippine Medical Association’s Committee on Environmental Health and Ecology, has previously described climate change as a public health issue with both physical and mental dimensions. He has emphasized the need for long-term adaptation planning to protect population well-being.
Notably, many SWS respondents also expressed optimism, believing individuals can still take meaningful action to reduce climate risks.
Tropical heat, sleep, and daily life
One of the most immediate ways heat affects daily life is through sleep disruption. High nighttime temperatures interfere with the body’s natural cooling process, which is essential for restorative sleep.
Global studies increasingly link heat and humidity to sleep loss, daytime fatigue, reduced concentration, and mood changes. In tropical cities where access to cooling technologies remains uneven, these effects can persist night after night.
Urban heat island effects further compound the issue. Dense cities retain and radiate heat, elevating nighttime temperatures and making restful sleep more difficult.
As a result, many people wake feeling tired and emotionally less resilient, especially during seasonal shifts from cooler to hotter weather.
EXPLORE: Stress Less, Glow More: A Practical Guide to Better Sleep and Hydration
Finding balance: small changes, real gains
Recognizing how heat and environmental stressors affect mood opens the door to practical, supportive adaptations.
Simple habits—such as scheduling outdoor activities during cooler hours, staying well-hydrated, wearing breathable clothing, and improving bedroom ventilation—can support both physical comfort and emotional resilience.
Community awareness also matters. Open conversations about how heat affects energy and mood help normalize these experiences and reduce stigma. Sharing coping strategies with family, friends, or colleagues strengthens social connection and reinforces the idea that adjustment is a shared effort.
From weather patterns to personal growth
In the Philippines, seasonal shifts are part of everyday life. February’s lingering Amihan brings cool early mornings even as midday heat intensifies, with drier and hotter conditions becoming more consistent by March and April.
These changes are not merely meteorological. They shape sleep, energy levels, mood, and daily habits.
While rising heat can feel uncomfortable, it also offers opportunities for awareness and gentle adaptation. Noticing how hydration improves energy, how cooler evenings support sleep, or how shaded walks lift mood reflects the practice of joyful wellness—small, intentional adjustments that help people feel better over time.
Heat and humidity are not anomalies in the Philippine landscape. By understanding how weather interacts with mood, embracing adaptive habits, and nurturing community support, Filipinos can transform the dry season into a period of mindful living, resilient routines, and steady well-being.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
References / Sources:
Li, X., et al. (2021). Effects of high ambient temperature on mental health: A systematic review. Environmental Research, 196, 110912. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33799230/
Gasparrini, A., et al. (2026). Temperature and mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. npj Mental Health Research, 3(1). https://www.nature.com/articles/s44184-026-00190-w
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). (2024–2025). Heat Index Warnings and Advisories. https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/
Philippine News Agency. (2025). Schools suspend face-to-face classes due to heat index warnings. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1245221
Camara, S., et al. (2022). Climate change and mental health in the Philippines. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-international/article/climate-change-and-mental-health-in-the-philippines/2C38EEC4ACC529448C359951B028B1CE
UCLA Health. (2023). How heat affects sleep and mental health. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/4-effects-heat-mental-health-and-how-protect-yourself-2
