避暑的6种方法 6 ways to beat the summer heat

These days it's getting extremely hot. So this week, let's look at some traditional and creative ways to stay cool during the summer.

6 Ways To Keep Cool in Summer Heat

01. Wear Suitable Clothing

Let's start with clothes. To help you body stay cool, it's important to choose light-weight, breathable fabrics. Here are some keywords for your Taobao search:

亚麻
yà má
linen

纯棉
chún mián
100% cotton
(Literally "pure-cotton")

速干
sù gān
fast-dry; instant dry

防晒
fánɡ shài
UV protection; sunburn protection

NOTE
When you search for clothes online, use the words above as adjectives, and add a [piece of clothing] after them. For example, 速干T恤 (sù gān tī xù), "fast-dry t-shirt", or 亚麻连衣裙 (yà má lián yī qún), "linen dress".

02. Drink a Lot

During the hot days, we lose more water through our skin and respiration. So staying hydrated is key:

多喝水
duō hē shuǐ
to drink more water

补水
bǔ shuǐ
to stay hydrated
(Literally "to replenish water")

保持身体水分
bǎo chí shēn tǐ shuǐ fèn
to stay hydrated
(Literally "to maintain-body-moisture")

03. Eat Light

It's also a good idea to eat light, cooling food. It's easier for the body to maintain a lower temperature if it's not busy digesting heavy meals.

清淡
qīng dàn
light (of food)

That's why you might notice that a popular summer meal in China is cold noodles mixed with sliced cucumbers and veggies.

凉皮
liáng pí
cold skin noodles (from Shaanxi province)

04. Use Accessories

While fans have been around for centuries, some smart devices have only been invented in the recent years:

扇子
shàn zi
fan

电风扇
diàn fēng shàn
electric fan

迷你小风扇
mí nǐ xiǎo fēng shàn
mini (portable) fan

空调
kōng tiáo
air conditioner

穿戴式空调
chuān dài shì kōng tiáo
wearable a/c
(Literally "wear-type-air-conditioner")

05. Stay in the Shade

Embrace the shade! During the summer, you will notice local people carrying umbrellas, or hiding in the shade while waiting for a traffic light. It's always good to avoid extra exposure to UV rays, and protect yourself from the heat:

背阴
bèi yīn
shade

遮阳伞
zhē yáng sǎn
umbrella (for the sun); parasol

06. Plan Indoor Activities

When it gets too hot out, no matter what clothes you wear and how much water you drink, it's important to take breaks from the heat to cool down. Good chance to visit museums, theaters and exhibitions!

室内活动
shì nèi huó dòng
indoor activities

去博物馆
qù bó wù guǎn
to visit a museum

看展览
kàn zhǎn lǎn
to see an exhibition

看剧
kàn jù
to see an play

看演出
kàn yǎn chū
to see a performance/show (dancing, singing, etc.)

来源：That's Mandarin
编辑：万月英