The weather is getting warmer and warmer in Beijing and while it’s nice to go out in summer dresses and t-shirts, the heat can be annoying and even dangerous, especially for children and elderly. To prevent the risk of dehydration and heat illness always remember to take these simple precautions:

Drink that H2O
It may sound banal, but it’s important to drink a lot of water during summer in order to compensate for the loss of water due to sweating. Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol as they promote dehydration.

Keep it light
Wear comfortable and thin clothes. Choose light colors, especially white, as light colors absorb less heat than darker colors and can keep you cooler.

Take another shower
Showering is refreshing and helps to cool down the temperature of your body. If you are having problems falling asleep because of the heat, try to take a cool shower before going to bed.

Go for the fruit bowl
Avoid eating heavy food, fried food, and protein-rich meals as these take longer to digest and will keep your body temperature higher. Instead, try eating sandwiches, salads, lots of fruits and vegetables. Eating fruits will not only refresh you, but also give you a lot of nutrients and water content.

Avoid the sun
Especially between 12pm and 4pm, when the day is at his hottest, avoid spending too much time in the sun. If you are outside, try to walk in the shade or rest at regular intervals. If there’s not much shade to be found, try going a bit more local and carrying an umbrella or parasol to shield yourself from the sun’s direct rays.

Wear sunscreen and sunglasses
Always remember to protect your skin and eyes by putting sunscreen on your skin and wearing sunglasses. Even if it’s a cloudy (or smoggy) day, your skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays, and damage can occur even if you don’t get burned. Remember to reapply sunscreen frequently (every two hours) and liberally. When the family goes out for a day outside, it’s also a good idea to have your children (and even yourself) wear a hat.

This post first appeared on May 24, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Source: Tips to combat summer heat and Humidity