Since Jul 3, we’ve officially entered the 三伏天 sān fútiān, or “dog days of summer” season, which lasts until Aug 11 this year. Why are these the dog days? Well, first of all, it’s got nothing to do with man’s best friend. This period is known for the year’s highest temperatures and humidity levels. It’s also the peak season for heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and dehydration.

But don’t worry, we’ve got some family-friendly tips to help you and your loved ones stay cool and healthy during this scorching time!

Relax and Take a Break From Your Workouts

To avoid overheating, try to keep physical activities indoors and at a lower intensity than usual. Fun indoor activities like swimming and yoga are perfect for the whole family. Remember to drink plenty of water before exercising and keep energy levels up with light, healthy snacks like bananas and a small handful of nuts.

Check out our latest review of this villa with a beautiful pool. 

Cool it With the AC

Air conditioning can be a lifesaver, but it can also cause problems if you’re not careful. The stark temperature difference between indoors and outdoors can be a shock to the system. Try to keep your home or office around 26 degrees, and always dry off any perspiration before entering cooler spaces. And make sure the kids aren’t sitting directly in the path of the cold air!

Water is Key

This might seem like basic advice, but staying hydrated is crucial, especially in hot weather. While the old “drink eight glasses of water a day” rule isn’t necessarily accurate, you do need to increase your water intake during the summer. Encourage your family to sip water throughout the day and avoid caffeinated drinks, which can dehydrate you. Small sips are better than chugging large amounts at once.

It can get hard to drink plain water all day long. Take hydration to the next level by making infused water instead. Check out this article for some inspiration.

Zzzzz…

Summer days are long and bright, making it tempting to stay up later. However, your body needs plenty of rest, especially in the heat. Make sure everyone in the family is getting enough sleep to keep their energy levels up. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help wind down after those long, fun summer days.

Eat Right

When you sweat a lot, your body breaks down protein faster, so it’s important to replenish it. Even if the heat reduces your appetite, try to include more protein-rich foods in your family’s diet, such as beans, milk, and eggs. These will help maintain energy and overall health.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and have fun!

Images: Pexels

That’s no reason to let the oppressive heat keep you from enjoying what’s wonderful about summer. Here are eight of our top Taobao finds to keep you cool as the temperature rises, even without the help of a pool or AC.

Shirt Cool Spray (衣服降温喷雾)
Is it hot enough yet to make you want to peel off your sweaty duds, all the way down to your birthday suit? Save yourself the effort with Shirt Cool, a Japanese spray mist available in various aromas (doubling as deodorant) and designed to quickly cool you off and quell that “just out of the shower look” that’s all too familiar come July and August. RMB 28.8-35.8.

Get it here.

Cooling Gel Patch (清凉贴)
These cooling gel patches serve a similar function as the spray above, except you stick them to your skin. Made of soft and comfortable material, the patches are also said to relieve stress and fatigue. Bonus function: You can also stick them to your phone or computer if they tend to overheat. RMB 39 for a pack of 20.

Get it here.

Water-Cooling Gel Mattress Pad (水冷床垫)
Cooling doesn’t need to stop once you’ve gone to bed as this multi-functional mattress pad proves. Add cold water to the container, plug in the accompanying fan, and voila, the water is pumped through keeping you sweat-free throughout the night. You can set a timer so it turns off automatically once you’re sound asleep. RMB 288-498.

Get it here.

Bamboo Mattress Cover (冰丝凉席)
Save yourself from waking up damp and clammy with this more natural means to stay cool at night: a nifty bamboo mattress cover set. Thin and easy to wipe clean, the set also comes with two pillow covers. Make sure to choose the right size according to your bed so that the cover won’t pull loose. RMB 129.9-289.9.

Get it here.

Cooling Sports Towel (运动冷感巾)
Lightweight and absorbent, this towel is good for both gym bunnies after a workout or just to throw in your bag if you’re likely to trekking across town. They only take a short time to dry and, better still, remains cold for hours after a quick soak in ice water. Wrap around your wrists, neck, or use it as a bandana to escape the heat. RMB 13.8.

Get it here.

Cooling Wrist Pad/Pillow (降温枕头)
Soft and cold thanks to their inner gel stuffing, these computer wrist pads are a great way to stay cool at your desk. You can also stick them in the fridge after each day so that you have something cool to latch onto as soon as you reach the office. They also double as a cooling pillow should you need to take a siesta on a sweltering afternoon. RMB 38.

Get it here.

Portable Air Conditioner (迷你小空调)
If your apartment is small and you don’t want to invest in a full-on air conditioner, this mini AC makes for a decent alternative. Portable and sturdy, it has three levels of cooling and also works to boost humidity in dry climates for better air ventilation such as is needed in Beijing. It also requires little cleaning. RMB 356-396.

Get it here.

Cooling Wet Wipes (提神降温湿巾)
Finally, these peppermint scented wet wipes make for a quick icy fix whenever you’re feeling hot and sticky. They come in an easy-to-extract and resealable dispenser, keeping them fresh even when you aren’t. RMB 49 for a pack of 50.

Get it here.

Heading to the pool? Check out these cool Taobao buys here.

Photos: Bustle, Taobao

Ever since we moved into our current apartment last year, we haven’t really needed to pay as close attention to the city central heating schedule as once did. We have in-floor electric heat which we can turn on any time we feel like. Previously we lived on the grid, so to speak, with our radiators only heating our apartment when the city government allowed. We had space heaters, of course, but they were no match for the chilly weeks that usually bookend the heating season.

In our home we no longer wait for the city to warm us, but I continue to be interested in the how and the when of municipal central heating. We still have friends who are dependent on the city heating schedule. Likewise, several of our favorite restaurants and cafes around town are in buildings that are only heated by the city.  Heat Watch will probably always be part of our Beijing life.

Heating season isn’t due to begin until mid-November, mostly regardless of the weather. I used the qualifier "mostly" because some years we experienced exceptionally cold and snowy Novembers and the heat was turned on ahead of schedule. Usually, though, the outside temperature has little to do with the start or even duration of heating season.

Monday’s forecast called for cooler temperatures than we had been experiencing lately and a greater than fifty percent chance of rain. Brigid had an art class down in Dongzhimen in the afternoon, which was supposed to be followed by Myles’ baseball practice in another part of Beijing. Because of this close scheduling and the possibility of rain, I booked a driver to cart us around and brought our rain gear, just in case. It was still dry where we were when Brigid’s class finished.  Just as we started for Myles’ practice, I received a message that baseball was cancelled because it was already pouring in that part of the city. Instead, we headed home.

It was raining lightly in Changping when we pulled into the east gate of our complex. Upon getting out of the car, I offered Brigid her rain jacket. Brigid, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, accepted her coat from me, but draped it over her arm.

"I don’t need it," she told me. "I’m fine."

Our arrival was being watched closely by two women standing under the overhang by our gate, out of the drizzle. As we walked past them, they stopped Brigid and asked her a question I was not expecting in September in Changping.

"冷不冷?"
Lěng bù lěng? Meaning, "Aren’t you cold?"

We usually don’t hear this question at least until October, after China’s National Day, which seems to usher in the heavier-clothes wearing season much like Easter and Labor Day in the some parts of the US still define to some extent acceptable colors and textiles. Our experience, too, with the fall weather is that we usually don’t feel it gets put-your-coat-on-kid cold until around Myles’ birthday. But here we were on September 22, and the weather conditions were such that strangers on the street thought Brigid was inappropriately dressed.

I am noting this not because I want to launch into a rant about the all-too-common "冷不冷?"

I can wait until later this fall, on an early October day when we’ve been out sweating in the late afternoon sun if I want to make a fuss about that. My point, though, is to use this as a prelude to this years’ Heat Watch. On September 22 it was cool enough that strangers were compelled to ask my daughter if she weren’t cold. The heat doesn’t come on for (probably) another seven weeks.

I may be very grateful for our in-floor heat sooner than I might like.

This post first appeared on Jennifer Ambrose’s site on September 26, 2014.

Jennifer Ambrose hails from Western Pennsylvania and misses it terribly. She still maintains an intense devotion to the Pittsburgh Steelers. She has lived in China since 2006 and is currently an at-home mother. With her husband Randy and children Myles and Brigid, she resides outside the Sixth Ring Road in Changping, northwest of Beijing

Photos: Jennifer Ambrose

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

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The first-ever nationwide second-level heat alert was issued on Tuesday by the China Meteorological Administration according to a report in the China Daily. A second-level heat wave alert is the second highest out of four levels. High temperatures are expected to last till August 8th.  

Southern China will be expected to have temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius from July 30 to Aug 8 as they have being experiencing unusually high temperatures. Although the warning seems to be more for the south, be sure to take the necessary precautions during this hot summer whether it is outdoors or indoors.

Here are some tips on how to stay cool without having higher energy bills. Also here is an article about simple precautions to take to avoid dehydration and other heat related illness.

Photo courtesy of Cassandra Jowett, Flickr

•                   Getting a fan for your room. A fan on a low setting that can keep a light breeze blowing across your room can work wonders. If you don’t like air blowing directly on you while you sleep, you can still make your room cooler by using a fan in your window to circulate fresh air. You may have to use a purifier to ensure that the air quality in the room is good.
•                   Put a small pillow in the freezer an hour or two before you go to bed. Put a few plastic shopping bags over it to keep ice from forming on the fabric.
• Use silk or satin pillowcases, and satin sheets. These fabrics will feel smoother and cooler as you sleep.
•                         If you wake up too hot, consider how many coverings – e.g. over 80F/26C maybe sleep uncovered, over 73F/23C 1 sheet, under that 1 blanket, etc.

•                   Drink water frequently. Your body will feel cooler if you are hydrated. Try drinking eight ounces of water at least every hour. Adding mint leaves, or orange, lemon or cucumber slices to your water makes it more refreshing.
•                   Get a cheap spray bottle – fill it with water, adjust it to fine mist and spray it on your exposed skin for an instant chill-zing cooling effect.
•                   Keep the back of your neck in shade (wear a cap backwards, or raise your collar) or put a wet handkerchief on the back of the neck. The sensor for our body temperature control system is in this area, and so with this method you can make the rest of your body think that you are "cool".
•                   You can relive the 80’s and wear a wet terrycloth headband on your forehead. Or wear a bandana with water soaked on it and put it on your head.
•                   Run cold water over your wrists for 10 seconds on each hand. This will reduce your temperature for roughly an hour.
•                   Soak your feet in a bucket of cold water. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will efficiently cool the body. Kids wading pools are great for adults’ feet too.
•                         Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in (this is if you have one). Once you are used to the temperature, let some water out and refill with cold water. Keep doing this until you are sufficiently cold. Your body will stay cool for a long time after you get out. For a fast cool-down, add ice!

• Put a metal bowl of salted ice in front of a fan, and adjust the fan so that the air is blowing over the ice. Or, use one or more 2 liter bottles and fill them mostly full of (water – 70%) & (rock salt – 10% the salt brings the temp of the frozen water down to a lower ºF) (air – 20% for expansion), freeze them, then place them in a large bowl. Position a fan to blow on them. As the salty ice in the bottles melts, the air cools around them. The fan will blow that air at you. The water & salt in the bottles can be refrozen every night and used again repeatedly.
• You can also turn on your stove fan (on the ventilator hood) or open up your chimney flue. These will also draw hot air out of the house and pull cooler evening air into the house.