Sanam Yar

Writer on Bustle's Lifestyle team, embarrassingly Canadian, and constantly on the hunt for the perfect pint of ice-cream. You can catch more of my work in Metropolis Magazine and The New York Times.

Millie Bobby Brown Shares How She Was Bullied Growing Up & The Anxiety She Faced

In a new cover story for Glamour UK's May digital cover, actor Millie Bobby Brown shared how bullying led to anxiety when she was growing up. The 15-year-old Stranger Things star, who became UNICEF'S youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador last year at 14…

Here’s The Deal With All Those Sex Ed YouTube Videos Made By Non-Sex Ed Vloggers

A string of questions float against a millennial pink backdrop: “How do I fall in love? How do I keep that love? And most importantly, how do I get rid of this STD?” No, this is not your standard school sex ed class — it’s the intro to YouTubers…

Having Acne As A Teen Was Linked To Better Grades & Higher Salaries As An Adult

Zits are one of the universe’s greatest equalizers. Unless you are among the .01% of humankind to have never experienced getting one, there is really nothing that brings people together more than complaining about a surprise pimple (or two, or 10).…

You Can Get A Rainbow Version Of IKEA’s Iconic Blue Tote For Pride

This year’s Pride Month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, along with the usual month-long global celebration of LGBTQ communities. New York City’s annual Pride March, which is among the largest in the world, will be hosted on…

Whole Foods Is Banning Plastic Straws In Stores Starting This Summer

As summer approaches, so does peak straw season. For most people, iced coffees, teas, and juices will be slurped through straws. But as concerns over plastic pollution and its harmful effects on the environment grow, more and more chains are…

Here's What Happens To Your Risk For Skin Cancer After Getting A Sunburn

Summer officially kicks off in a little over a month, meaning beach days, picnics in the park, and patio season are almost upon us. And while the reminder to wear sunscreen every day should be tattooed onto your brain at this point (seriously, wear…

This Is The Real (And Pretty Legit) Reason People Gossip, According To Science

Ah, gossiping: an activity so universal there have been magazines, websites, T.V. shows, and entire careers devoted to the concept. To gossip is to be human, and no matter how altruistic you may be, you’ve likely gossiped at least once or twice in…

Multiple Cases Of A Disease That Can Spread From Dogs To Humans Have Been Confirmed In Iowa

Iowa state officials confirmed several cases of Canine Brucellosis, a dog disease that can spread to both humans and other animals, The Washington Post reports. State veterinarian Jeff Kaisand asserted that multiple cases of canine brucellosis have…

Drinking Red Wine Has A Sneaky Way of Boosting Your Gut Health, Experts Say

In the English language, there are few phrases that get people more excited than “red wine is good for you.” The idea that drinking alcohol may have health benefits of any kind feels like a cosmic loophole, a rare cheat in the universe that lets you…

There’s A Surprising Link Between Constipation & Depression, According To 2 New Studies

As nearly every yogurt commercial since the dawn of time has likely reminded you: your gut health is important. Healthy gut bacteria has been shown to perform critical functions in the human body, playing a role in everything from processing…

Thinking Your Future Self Will Be Different From You Now Can Have This Effect On Your Mood

The idea that you can change your life in a moment is so alluring that an entire industry has been built upon the notion. Whether it’s through self-help books, celebrity ~wellness~ gurus, or a trendy new workout class, there’s no shortage of avenues…

Your Morning Workouts Come With A Pretty Serious Brain Boost, A New Study Says

Waking up is hard to do. Not everyone is a morning person, and if all the “But First, Coffee” typography is to be believed, it can take a little while to feel one hundred percent after you climb out of bed. Whether you cherish your morning cuppa, or…

Just Thinking The People Around You Are Drinking Can Mess With Your Drinking Habits, A New Study Says

Peer pressure is a tricky thing. On one hand, as every ‘80s and ‘90s anti-drinking and drugs PSA memorably pointed out, it can propel people to do things they normally wouldn’t do. But on the other hand, it can feel like an unavoidable part of…

Here’s Another Sneaky Way Your Phone Is Messing With Your Health (And It’s Not Blue Light)

While smartphones have made our lives easier, a growing body of evidence is revealing the cost of this convenience. Research has shown that smartphones can affect our ability to socialize, interfere with productivity, and interrupt regular sleeping…

There’s Legit Scientific Evidence That Watching 'Spider-Man' Can Help Your Bug Phobia

Marvel mania is in full swing with the premiere of Avengers: Endgame on April 26, and while the franchise has changed the superhero movie genre for good — gifting us with many cinematic firsts (hello, Black Panther) — it’s also spawned some…

7 Work Habits That Are Sneakily Messing With Your Productivity

In the age of hustle culture, productivity is key. Whether you’re completing a fun side project in your off-hours, or have a full work day ahead of you, optimizing your time can make a noticeable impact on the quality of your efforts. Just like…

New Research Says There’s Yet Another Good Reason To Eat Breakfast (Apart From It’s Delicious

Of all the lessons I learned and promptly forgot in middle school health class, the one that managed to stay with me is the importance of eating breakfast every morning. My gym teacher spent several lectures on food pyramids, extolling the virtues…

This Is What Happens In Your Brain When You Have An Angry Dream

Dreams have long served as an inspiration to history’s greatest artists: Fleetwood Mac, Beyoncé, Eurythmics. But what actually causes someone to have a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare? Can the emotions we experience before sleep directly affect…

Here’s What The 10 Best Running Cities In The U.S. Have In Common

Running, like CrossFit, is one of those extremely polarizing activities that you’re either obsessed with, or cannot ever imagine doing with any true ounce of joy. Even if you are not a runner yourself, you probably know someone who does it on the…

Here’s Why Experts Say Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy Might Not Be Treatable

The first season of Hulu’s new show The Act details the true story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Dee Dee Blanchard, who raised her healthy daughter as if she was terminally ill. The series, along with last summer’s HBO adaptation Sharp…