Gizmodo: stress relief

Relieve Stress With The Sound of Cracking Knuckles

Sean Fallon — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Like other Japanese "infinite toys", this gadget simulates a mundane but strangely satisfying experience in order to relieve stress. Every time you bend it you are treated to the sound of cracking knuckles.

The gadget also features various spikes that can be used to stimulate pressure points. That's all well and good, but isn't cracking knuckles really about how good it feels (especially after you have been typing at your computer all day—hands cramping and stiffening up *crack, crack* ahh yeah...that's the stuff)? [Tokyu Hands via Tokyomango]

USB Stress Ball Allows You To Virtually Strangle Your Enemies

Sean Fallon — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:50:00 EST

There have been other USB devices designed to combat stress, but this version is the only one that allows you to virtually punch and strangle your enemies.

Apparently, squeezing, twisting and punching this oddly shaped "ball" will transfer the action to your computer screen. In other words, if you squeeze the ball, a photo of your boss on the screen will also be temporarily "squeezed." The same goes for any work you might be doing—like an unwelcome email or spreadsheet. It also features strength and squeeze games to help you pass the time at the office. Info on pricing and availability have not been made available.

Head Refresher Is 234 Points Of Scalp Massaging Crazy

Elaine Chow — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST

I'm in love with crazy, vaguely acupressure-related gadgets, so this Christmas I might actually drop some cash for the “Head Refresher.” Much like the Head Kanzen, this insane-looking device lets you massage your own scalp, allegedly increasing blood circulation throughout your body, while making it look like an inverted sea urchin is trying to swallow your skull.

It has 234 stimulating points, an ergonomic handle, and—if the model is to be believed—the ability to give your head a full rubdown without ever disturbing your hair. Amazing! And it's available for the cheapie price of $34 off of Japan Trend Shop. [Japan Trend Shop]

Choke-able Chicken is a Bonafide Stress Reliever

Elaine Chow — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:30:00 EST

Looking for a stress ball that's sure to anger the hordes of PETA? Here's one shaped like a chicken that crows in pain when you squeeze, hit or shake it. Let the chicken have it whenever work's got you down and it'll be sure to make you feel all plucky again. This fun little toy even comes in three sizes, priced $13.90 for a large, $9.90 for a medium and $6.90 for a small, so that you can choke different sizes of chicken depending on where you are and how much stress you need to release. [Brando]

10 Stress Busting Gadgets That Help You Unwind From a Long Week at Work

Sean Fallon — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Feeling a little stressed out? Good thing it's Friday—the weekend should offer ample opportunity to unwind. Unfortunately, some of you may be have so much going on that a couple of days off may not do the job. Not to worry, there are plenty of gadgets out there that can help you recover from the stress that a long week at work, a pile of unpaid bills, constant nagging about your "drinking problem" and a mysterious rash can cause.

Stress Toys: Did you know that there are squeezable stress toys for just about any difficult situation? Here are some examples:

I Have a Drinking Problem: The Guinness Stress Pint will help you kick that habit. Available for $4.95. [Guinness]

I'm Sexually Frustrated: Grab a handful of Stressticles squeezable testi-balls and save money on a prostitute. Available for around $10. [Gobaz]

The Copy Machine at Work Sucks: If you can't go "Office Space" on it with a bat, squeezing this copy machine stress toy may be the next best thing. Available for $2.99. [Kleargear]

I Ate a Wheel of Cheese Yesterday and Now I'm Constipated: No problem. Take this toilet stress toy into the bathroom with you and let it work its magic. Available for $1.99. [Office Playground]

A Luxurious Spa Treatment: Perhaps simple stress toys are not enough. What you need to relax is a little time in the spa.

The Wellness Skull: Designed by Dutch artist Atlier Van Lieshout, the Wellness Skull features a small bath in the neck and a sauna in the head. When it is working, steam pours out of the eye sockets. I'm not sure if it is up for sale, but it would definitely be a unique way to unwind. [Project Page]

The Red Diamond Bathtub: What does $47,200 buy you in a bathtub these days? Well, the Red Diamond comes with two retractable waterproof HDTVs, wireless controls via a built-in GSM module, massage functions, a Swarovski crystal-lined champagne holder and a frame made of solid gold. [Red Diamond via Link]

The Energy Cocoon Balance Bathtub: This spa features an infrared sauna, steam sauna, aromatherapy and light therapy functions, hydromassage, airbubble massage and a hand shower in an extremely compact design. [NeoQi via BornRich]

"Massage": Note the quotation marks. When all else fails, you can always turn to products like these to "release" a little "tension."

Fist-Shaped Back Massager: Uh...what? It looks like a cartoon-fist. Ooooh...that's just wrong. Available for $6.88. [Spilsbury]

Massage Pants: The manufacturer claims that these pants have multiple massage modes and an automatic temperature control. What are you supposed to be massaging? Why can you get it only in bulk? Are they assuming you will be planning some sort of kinky massage pants party? [Trade Key]

Human Touch Massage Chairs: These chairs were seen leaving a now-defunct Sharper Image store. Human Touch eh? What are these chairs touching me with exactly? [Link]

Sweety is Color-Changing, Squeezable Interactive Stress Gizmo

Kit Eaton — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EDT

Designer Haishu Zhang has created the Sweety concept gadget to help soothe away people's stresses. Apparently he's designed to be your 24-hour listener, so I guess you just sound-off in his direction rather than at a real person. And Sweety reacts with graphic patterns and color changes that, um, help you somehow. I'm a little confused how that bit's supposed to work, but I do understand it's interactive mode: when the rage hits you, you can just wrestle and pound the little bugger's soft body. And that's therapy. [Yanko design]

Spaniards Take the Movie Office Space Very Seriously

John Herrman — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:20:00 EDT

Destruction therapy has been around for a while now, but is only just starting to hit its stride. On June 21st, a large group of variously frustrated individuals converged on Castejon, Spain to launch the town fiestas with the coordinated destruction of an entire field of appliances and cars. Mainstream medicine has yet to recognize the efficacy of destruction therapy, but hey, I'm sure frontal lobotomies took a few years to catch on too. Gallery after the jump. [Reuters]

Stress Relieving Vase Takes Your Verbal Abuse, so Others Don't Have To

Kit Eaton — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EDT

Have you ever felt the need to let rip with a stream of expletives, yells and screams, but not been able to as you'd piss-off your noise-sensitive neighbors? Well, with a little help from the Sakebi no Tsufu "Shouting Vase" you'd be able to make as much noise as you like—get it all out, dump all your stress—and still be pretty much inaudible to everyone else. The plastic device is basically a muffler for your yells, with internal baffles that suppress the sound you make. It's available in Japan for around $48, and I wish it was buyable here: it would've been perfect when I jammed my thumb in a door yesterday and my wife was snoozing nearby. [Crunchgear]

Desktop Stress Relief Rocket

Jason Chen — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:02:02 EST

As Bill pulled out his rocket for at least the third time today, Jean lamented having to give up her old job as accounting manager for a prestigious law firm in Boston. "It's all for my son", thought Jean, as Bill furiously pumped away.

When Bill began to work up a sweat, Jean thought of telling him to go a bit easy. "You don't want to break the thing," she warned. Boy, if she had a dollar for every time a man was beating his rocket in front of her, she'd have enough for a Venti latte—not just a Grande—plus change left over for a sizable tip.

Out of nowhere, a relieved Bill exclaimed, "FINALLY!"

Stirred out of her daydream by the shout and the unique feeling of something flying past her ear, Jean decided once and for all to leave the porn industry and go back to the relative safety of numbers and ledgers. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Crazy About Gadgets via New Launches]