Opinion

Women's Health editor shares why this mini handheld fan is a gamechanger for summer

Our partners at Women's Health provided this story

Opinion

Our partners at Women's Health provided this story

STILL GETTING BETTER BY THE MILE. IT WAS THE PERFECT NIGHT TO SET OFF ON A FUN RUN IN BOSTON, BUT AS THESE BAR CLUB RUNNERS HEADED FOR JAMAICA POND, THEY KNEW THEY’D HAVE TO SAVOR THAT COOL BREEZE SOON ENOUGH, THE MILES WILL GET HARDER AND HOTTER. I THINK IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOT WORRY ABOUT PACE, KIND OF JUST PLAN THE SUMMER ROUTES WHERE THEY’RE SHADE. TRY TO GO AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, OR IF IT REALLY CAN’T, JUST TRY TO GO AS LATE IN THE DAY AS POSSIBLE. JUST TRYING TO AVOID SO MUCH DIRECT SUN. PUT YOUR HAND TO YOUR TOE. SCOTT CODY IS ONE OF THE COACHES FOR THE BARS RUNNING CLUB. HE SAYS IT’S NOT YOUR IMAGINATION. EVERY THING IS HARDER WHEN IT’S HOT OUT. OUR HEART RATE, LIKE INCREASES LIKE A LOT LIKE PROBABLY LIKE 10 TO 20 BEATS PER MINUTE. SO ANYTHING WE DO, IT REQUIRES MORE EFFORT. SO IT’S THEN KNOWING HOW TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AND NOT HAVE TO GO SO FAST. AND KNOWING WHEN TO SLOW DOWN, HYDRATE IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING. BUT SCOTT SAYS DURING THE SUMMER IT’S EVEN MORE CRITICAL. IT’S REALLY ABOUT GETTING UP, HAVING SOME WATER IN THE MORNING GENERALLY FOR EVERYBODY. IT’S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 80 TO 100OZ PER DAY AND SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE DAY. AND THAT INCLUDES AFTER YOUR RUN. YOU’VE LOST A LOT OF SWEAT, AND ELECTROLYTES ARE REALLY JUST YOU’VE LOST SODIUM, YOU’VE LOST SOME MINERALS, AND YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM AS SOON AS YOU CAN. AFTER THE RUN, YOU START PLACING THOSE THINGS AND GET SOME CARBS IN. YOU START THE RECOVERY PROCESS MORE QUICKLY FOR MAX, THERE ARE TWO THINGS HE ALWAYS KEEPS IN MIND TO KEEP HIM MOTIVATED THROUGH THE MILES. KNOWING THAT THE THE WORK YOU’RE PUTTING IN NOW WILL PAY DIVIDENDS WHEN THE CONDITIONS GET A LOT BETTER. NEW ENGLAND IS BETTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE FOR RUNNING, IN MY OPINION. EVEN THE WEST COAST. WELL, THERE YOU GO. A FEW MORE TIPS FROM SCOTT. PLAN YOUR HOT RUN SO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO WATER ALONG THE WAY. WHETHER THAT’S A BELT OR KNOWING WHERE THERE ARE WATER FOUNTAINS ON THE ROUTE. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HEART RATE OR ON YOUR WATCH IF YOU HAVE ONE. AND AGAIN, IT’S OKAY TO SLOW DOWN. JUST THINK H

Opinion

Women's Health editor shares why this mini handheld fan is a gamechanger for summer

Our partners at Women's Health provided this story

Heat and the humidity are unbearable in the summer, no matter if you're commuting to work, crushing your latest run, or waiting in an endless line at an amusement park or concert. If you've tried to use a scrap of paper as a fan with no relief, the solution is a personal mini-handheld fan. Just trust me. Plus, my favorite one is on sale from Amazon for under $20 right now, with the pink color at the lowest price out of the bunch. So how can you argue with that, really?Related video above: Running in heat? Don't miss these safety tipsI got this personal fan as a gift last summer, and honestly, it's gotten so much use. Why do I love it? Well, it's super compact (though, not going to lie, a few friends have giggled at the shape), and it stays charged forever. OK, not actually, but it can run for 12 to 19 hours on one charge (using a USB-C cable) when used continuously. If you're turning it on and off, it lasts for much longer.There are three different speeds, so you can control the intensity of the airflow — and I love that by folding it, you can also prop it on a desk or table. Say yes to outdoor dining, even when there's no breeze. There's also a built-in flashlight, which is a nice feature to have when you're searching for your keys. And this fan can even work as an emergency charger for your phone, if you need a quick boost in a pinch.One thing to note: The fan blades pop open and are made from a soft, flexible material, so even if they hit your skin, they don't hurt—but it still might not be the most kid-friendly pick. It does auto stop if the blades hit an obstacle, but I'll note from personal experience that it's best to keep the fan at a distance if you're doing hair flips, or you might get a little tangled.This fan not your style? Below are more portable fans on sale right now — or if you prefer to go hands-free, try a neck air conditioner. Either way, you need a personal fan. Period. Thank me later.Shop more summer-worthy products we loveThe best neck air conditioners | Best Portable Air Conditioners | Best Summer Shoes | Best Cooling Sheets | Best Ice Bath Tubs | Best Body Suits | Best Workout Shorts

Heat and the humidity are unbearable in the summer, no matter if you're commuting to work, crushing your latest run, or waiting in an endless line at an amusement park or concert.

If you've tried to use a scrap of paper as a fan with no relief, the solution is a personal mini-handheld fan. Just trust me. Plus, my favorite one is on sale from Amazon for under $20 right now, with the pink color at the lowest price out of the bunch. So how can you argue with that, really?

Handheld Mini Fan

JISULIFE

amazon.com

$24.99

$13.67

SHOP NOW

Related video above: Running in heat? Don't miss these safety tips

I got this personal fan as a gift last summer, and honestly, it's gotten so much use. Why do I love it? Well, it's super compact (though, not going to lie, a few friends have giggled at the shape), and it stays charged forever. OK, not actually, but it can run for 12 to 19 hours on one charge (using a USB-C cable) when used continuously. If you're turning it on and off, it lasts for much longer.

There are three different speeds, so you can control the intensity of the airflow — and I love that by folding it, you can also prop it on a desk or table. Say yes to outdoor dining, even when there's no breeze.

There's also a built-in flashlight, which is a nice feature to have when you're searching for your keys. And this fan can even work as an emergency charger for your phone, if you need a quick boost in a pinch.

One thing to note: The fan blades pop open and are made from a soft, flexible material, so even if they hit your skin, they don't hurt—but it still might not be the most kid-friendly pick. It does auto stop if the blades hit an obstacle, but I'll note from personal experience that it's best to keep the fan at a distance if you're doing hair flips, or you might get a little tangled.

This fan not your style? Below are more portable fans on sale right now — or if you prefer to go hands-free, try a neck air conditioner. Either way, you need a personal fan. Period. Thank me later.