Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • New Beauty Launches
    • Halloween Nails
    • 'You Can See Everything'
    • Holiday Candles
    • Statement Red Socks
    1. Beauty

    Do You Suffer from Hourglass Syndrome?

    Nothing to do with your silhouette, this illness is caused by the blind rage when your computer or the Internet runs too slowly.

    By Lizzie Dunlap
    Published 19 August 2010 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    frustrated woman pulling hair at computer
    (Image credit: Stockphoto4u/istock)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Do you suffer from an illness called hourglass syndrome?

    No, it has nothing to do with your silhouette. Hourglass Syndrome is a new term coined by techno-peeps to define that blind rage you feel when your computer — and you — get sidelined by slow data processing, as indicated by that dreaded hourglass icon. A recent study released by Intel shows that we waste three days a year waiting for sluggish tech items to catch up with us, whether it's a website that won't load, a funky cell signal, or a cranky DVR box. The study also shows that half of all adults polled have had uncharacteristic tempter tantrums (mouse-banging, screen-hitting, or phone-throwing, la Naomi Campbell) in response to this new type of stress and its side effects, which can include missing out on concert tickets, plum plane seat options, and eBay treasures.

    Aside from investing in faster devices, treat your Hourglass Syndrome by carrying a relaxing lavender or chamomile aromatherapy roll-on to destress on the go or use your pent-up energy to work on your real hourglass figure and do waist-whittling stomach contractions until the nagging icons disappear. At least both options are less expensive than a new keyboard!

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Tell Marie Claire: Do you suffer from Hourglass Syndrome? Share your tips for relieving computer-related stress in the Comments section below!

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Lizzie Dunlap
    Latest in Beauty
    a collage of french bob hairstyles feature choppy bobs, textured bobs, short bobs, sleek bobs
    Hair Everyone Is Trading In Their Long Layers For a French Bob
    collage of green holiday candles
    Fragrance Thanks to These Candles, My Home Smells Like a Mix Between a Gingerbread House and a Ski Slope
     
     
    a background of mango, vanilla, sandalwood, coconut with a picture of someones legs and a body scrub
    Skincare As a Serial Self-Tanner, This New Tan Removing Scrub Is My Favorite Shower Essential
    A woman in an oversized black trench coat next to a lip liner marker
    Beauty October's Best New Beauty Launches Are Delivering the Perfect Cozy Vibe
     
     
    Latest in News
    King Charles waves from the Buckingham Palace balcony while wearing a red military uniform
    Royals King Charles's Popularity Has Waned, Per New Poll
    Princess Birgitta wearing a tiara and sapphire necklace
    Royals Swedish Royal Jewelry Auction "Goes Against" King Carl Gustaf's Wishes
     
     
    Carole Middleton carries her Emmy London bag to attend day 3 'Ladies Day' of Royal Ascot 2026 at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2026 in Ascot, England.
    Royals Carole Middleton's Favorite Bag Gets a Regal Upgrade
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling for a picture with fans in Nottingham, England
    Royals Royal Source Says Prince Harry Is Taking Prince William and King Charles's Roles "Into Account" With Upcoming Public Events
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.