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Keeping it Together: Have you heard of 'hourglass syndrome'? Experts warn of the dangers.

Sara M Moniuszko   | Paste BN

With beauty standards emphasizing the importance of toned tummies and rock-hard abs, sucking in your stomach seems like a simple, harmless solution, right? Wrong.

The habit of holding in your belly comes with health risks, experts told my colleague Jenna Ryu this week. And there's a name for it too.

"Hourglass syndrome," which now has over 14 million views on TikTok, is the result of sucking in your stomach for an extended period of time.

Here's a bit more of what Jenna found out:

Because you're only contracting your upper abs, it creates a muscular imbalance in your core, causing the appearance of creasing or indentation.

The inspiration behind the name likely stems from societal pressures to be thinner, says Alexis Shoope, a physical therapist based in Houston, Texas.

"Think of how Barbies' bodies were made. Their stomachs go in a lot, then their hips would go out. That's what a lot of women think: 'Oh, if I suck in, I'll have that appearance.'"

When you contract your abs for an extended period of time, it can create pressure on your pelvic structures, which may lead to issues like incontinence or urine leakage during everyday activities such as laughing or coughing. 

To read Jenna's full piece, click here.

How to make the internet's favorite new cocktail

If you've been on social media the last week or two, you've likely seen countless posts about a special little drink: a negroni sbagliato.

British “House of the Dragon" actor Emma D’Arcy charmed fans earlier this month when appearing in a TikTok video with co-star Olivia Cooke, during which Cooke asked the 30-year-old actor what their drink of choice is.

“A negroni sbagliato with prosecco in it,” said D’Arcy with a playful grin.

D’Arcy’s response set the internet ablaze with chatter over the Italian cocktail, which offers a twist on the negroni, an alcoholic beverage that consists of gin, Campari and vermouth.

But how do you make one? We've got you covered.

Click here for the recipe Campari shared with Paste BN that will have you sipping like a Targaryen at home.

Not into alcohol? No worries: Check out my story on 'sober' drink alternatives and why they're so popular

'My mother-in-law makes awful comments. Can we find peace?'

For this week's advice column, a reader wrote in: "My husband and I (both 30) have been together for 12 years and married for two. My relationship with my in-laws has always been good – unless you count some snide remarks directed at me when mother-in-law has been drinking. 

However, the last few years I feel like I just can't seem to win with my mother-in-law, and it’s taken a toll on me.

The ‘digs’ she makes about our parenting are always said when my husband is not around and said in passing. So most of the time I’m caught off-guard and just don’t know how to respond, but it makes me frustrated and sad afterward. When we've tried to confront her about the things she has said, she gets very defensive. Or she adjusts her behavior for a couple days only to fall back into her old ways.

I really would like to have a relationship with her without having any tension. But if that’s not possible, I would like to be able to let her snide comments and digs fall off my shoulders more easily. At this point it’s adding up and weighing me down. What do I do?"

To read our advice columnist's response, click here.

Today's reads

Today's pet

Meet Dixie.

You might recognize Dixie from a previous newsletter, but now she's ready for Halloween! Here's the 11-year-old Miniature Pinscher in one of her costumes. Reader Randy Keith writes Dixie "hustles as a super model for a side gig."

Someone get this posing pup a catwalk! Err, I mean, dogwalk!

Thanks everyone for reading! Do you have cute pet photos to share? Please send them to our email here so we can feature them in an upcoming newsletter. If you've already been featured in the newsletter, that's OK! We'd love an update on your furry friend.

Wishing you all the best, 

Sara Moniuszko

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