Physical reactions

There have been many unexpected repercussions of moving to Singapore, some of which have been physical. Other than gaining weight from an overexcitement about food, which has happened with previous moves (Vienna, Peru, etc.), I haven't really experienced bodily reactions to moving to a new place. It certainly wasn't something I anticipated. Yet this relocation has had physical side effects. They have been more of a minor annoyance, but still noteworthy.

• Dry skin. This is really a result of the Covid times we find ourselves in, and the increase in frequency and length of hand washing. The switch from nourishing handmade soap to hotel soap made my skin extra specially dry, and I found myself with itchy dry patches on my hands. I have to be more thoughtful about my soap purchases, now that I can't make my own soap. Singapore doesn't allow just anyone to purchase lye, one of the key ingredients in soap making. I'd been making my own soap for over a year, and now. No longer. 
• Chin breakouts. Also a result of Covid. Wearing a mask any time I'm out of the house has side effects, and it now looks like I've reverted to teenagerhood. Despite using a clean mask every day, a clear complexion is not in my near-term future.
• Hair loss and general scalp unhappiness. I have lost 25-30% of my hair since getting to Singapore. A decent shedder during normal times, my new level of hair loss is unsettling. Hair in my sheets, hair on my clothes, hair strewn all over the floors, and let's not talk about the piles that fall out when I wash or even just brush my hair. The jury's out on whether it's the chlorine in the water, a reaction to the heat and humidity, a combination thereof, or something else altogether. The thinness of my ponytail is perturbing. 
• Digestion. That's a nice way of putting it, right? We're not talking about the kind of stomach reaction resulting from curries and other spicy foods. We're talking the opposite of that. After we'd been here for about six weeks, my body's ability to digest...decreased. The Metamucil became an important fixture in my diet. Surprisingly, the day I started work again was the day that problem went away. My body seems to be attuned to the working rhythm. I think this digestion issue came up because of stress, also as a result of adjusting to new foods and the time it's taken to get back to a regularly healthy diet (vegetables are not readily found in the local cuisine and believe me, we spend a lot of time looking). This issue maybe also be a physical manifestation of the fact that I'm having a hard time digesting/processing this new reality. This move was something I was hungry for, but it was harder to digest than anticipated. The mental stress manifesting itself physically. It seems likely.
• Tiredness. It took 4-5 months to get this one more regulated. The heat and humidity had a big impact on my energy levels. I've started drinking more water and taking iron, which have helped a lot. I also eat frequent, small meals which help maintain a better balance throughout the day (I really do have second breakfasts and sometimes elevenses). The 1:00pm time still sees a dip in energy, but that probably has more to do with my 5am wake up.

I suppose those are the main ones. There's also the weight gain and bug bites, but those are par for the course. Things to keep in mind when making significant life transitions. It's taken time and effort to regulate, but I'm getting there.