Summer is particularly hot in big cities. According to the ancient lunar calendar, the last 10 days of July are the hottest days in the year. To help city dwellers keep cool through this difficult period, here are some tips to rescue you from the heat.

Drink the right liquids

Water is the best drink to quench your thirst in the hot summer and water can always help you lower the risk of contracting heatstroke. All you need is to remember the following do's and don'ts.

1. Boiled water is better than tap water.

2. Freshly-boiled water is preferable to water sitting overnight.

3. Drink water regularly-don't drink only when you feel thirsty.

4. When drinking water, drink it slowly than finishing a bottle all at once.

5. If you think water is too bland, then add some salt, or have drinks containing electrolytes. There are some popular brands in China such as My Gator, Vitrum and Pocari Sweat.

Wear the right clothes

1. Wear light-colored breathable clothes. Those made from cotton or polyester are the best.
2. In the daytime, don't go out with your arms bare. Long-sleeve shirts give you more protection and keep you cooler because the cloth can reflect some of the sunshine that would have been absorbed by naked skin.
3. Wear a light colored hat when going out under the sunshine to avoid the sun's rays from shining directly on your head.

Have the right diet

1. Have more melons. Chinese cantaloupe is diuretic, Chinese okra cools the blood, cucumber decreases cholesterol levels and pumpkin counters inflammation.
2. Have more cooling vegetables, like tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce and asparagus.
3. Have more bitter vegetables, like balsam pear, bitter melon, Kuding tea, and bitter bamboo shoots.

Form good habits

1. When it's very hot, bathe your head and neck in cold water. This can help take away some heat.
2. Keep an eye on your weight. When your weight falls for several consecutive days, then you should take extra care of yourself. A sharp drop in weight often leads to heatstroke.
3. Take more baths to keep the sweat from covering your body.
4. Avoid doing intense outdoor sports when the sunshine is strong, usually between 11am to 2pm.