Yes, it is the heat

With summer officially here and a record-setting heat wave blasting most of the eastern U.S. earlier this week, staying cool can be tough. That’s something humans have been trying to stay on top of for millennia — from keeping air moving to spending time in and around water to adjusting your wardrobe, there are options out there.

In a recent NPR article, Gulrez Shah Azhar, no stranger to the heat as a native of India, offered some tips on how to stay cool and hopefully safe and healthy when the fan or air conditioning isn’t quite enough.

First, drink lots of liquids, and it doesn’t even have to be water. Regular sips of juice, milk, soda, even cooled-down tea and coffee, help keep your cells hydrated. Right along with that, make sure you’re eating. Never go out with an empty stomach — keeping your body healthy takes a lot of energy.

Next, find the coolest spots to hang out, even if they aren’t the most glamorous, like reading a book in the basement or garage. Finally, embrace the shade both around you and on you. Wearing light-colored, heat-repellent clothing, covering your head and taking the tree-lined path will go a long way toward staying cool.