How to cope with the Shanghai humidity

What to do when it feels like you can drink the air

Photograph: laughprints via Instagram
It's that time of year when the humidity makes going outside an unnecessarily daunting prospect. You're starting to come up with excuses not to leave the house. You're becoming even more dependent on home delivery services – 'will Sherpa's walk my dog?' You're considering asking your boss if you can work from home. Sure, you're a kindergarten teacher and there is no way you can do that, but it's, like, really gross outside.

You stand by your door, tentatively reaching for the handle, mentally preparing to soon leave the cool embrace of your air conditioning and be met by the harsh, unforgiving bastard that is the Shanghai summer. Let's face it, you're gonna be moist, damp, sticky and uncomfortable for most of July and August, but that doesn't mean you can't find a way around it. Here are some ways to try and cope when being outside in Shanghai feels like stepping into a greenhouse.

via GIPHY

Stay at home

Stay at home

So simple but so effective. If the humidity is high, only leave the house when necessary. Switch on the air conditioning, close the blinds (using bamboo blinds is a great way of keeping your home cool), cross-ventilate your house to keep the air flow moving by opening windows at opposite ends of the room you're in, open the fridge. All great way of staying cool – except the last one. Don't do that. It'll make your milk go funny.

Buy a dehumidifier

Buy a dehumidifier

As the old saying goes: when it's too humid, it's time to dehumidify. There is a whole bevvy of options available on Taobao, with this very affordable Yangzi model going for 99RMB, while there is also this high-quality 229RMB option available from Tmall.

Don't do any excessive exercise

Don't do any excessive exercise

Like you needed an excuse... The humidity will have you sweating and feeling tired regardless of whether you're exercising or not. Prolonged physical activity in humid conditions can lead to dehydration and overheating and, let's face it, running around outdoors when it's sweltering is no fun at all. However, if you still need to workout, either do it indoors or choose an activity like cycling where the movement should have a cooling effect.

Seek refuge in an art gallery

Art is many things. Art can be stuffy and obtuse, or it can be a blast. Art (or at least the art in this article... ARTicle?) is also all indoors where there is air conditioning and no humidity.

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By: Kenny Ong

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