With heat, smoke, and colorless skies, we are reminded of the ongoing heat wave every time we go outside. With temperatures reaching 107 degrees and above, here are some of the ways that you can make your life easier until the heat dies down.

1. Drink more water. Drinking 2-3 liters of water per day is already recommended by health experts, drinking more during the heatwave should be a no brainer. Fill up that hydro flask and sip away during these hot summer days, it will do you well in the long run.
2. Don’t press yourself with physical activity. Extreme exercise during a heat wave puts pressure on your body, as you will be sweating much more than you would without the extreme heat. Heat exhaustion is real and it is deadly, with about 600 related deaths in the United States per year alone.
3. Stay inside during high sun hours. Being outside during high sun hours, 11 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, can lead to sunburns, heat exhaustion, general tiredness, and discomfort. When you can, stay inside during these hours. This particular heat wave has brought our city and our state bad air quality as the result of fires that still burn all over California. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency cites that our air in the majority of Sacramento is very unhealthy, some other parts actually being put in the hazardous zone.
4. Wear sunscreen and a mask. During high times of UV rays, you should be wearing sunscreen in order to avoid things like sunburns and future skin cancer. Always wear your sunscreen while outdoors, your skin will thank you later.Wearing a mask can protect you from some of the effects of smoke. While not able to block out all of the side effects, taking that extra precaution is advisable.
5. Exercise indoors. Students and faculty who do exercise and wish to do so safely should be trying to do so inside to protect themselves from the sun and heat during the most recent heat (and smoke) wave. Set up a space in your home and get into the routine of getting fit while being trapped indoors.
6. Eat foods with lots of water. Watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries are perfect foods to eat if you want to combat dehydration. With about 70% of your body being water, you can further hydrate with these water dense foods.
7. Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol furthers dehydration, something that you need to avoid during heat waves. Everyone over 21 should drink few or no alcoholic beverages in the duration of the California heat wave.
8. Find indoor hobbies. Knitting, yoga, and writing are all hobbies that you can take up indoors. Look up online and try new things to incorporate into your daily life.
9. Look for night time activities. Stargazing and camping in your backyard are still in style! Get outside and have some fun under the stars while the sun is down and the temperature is low.