The oddly-named Rationalizer looks like a reasonably simple, if bizarre, product: A bracelet that probably detects clamminess and pulse, and wirelessly sends that data to an LED-laden bowl. The bowl turns red (red is always bad, you guys) when "stress" levels are too high, and the important businessman who's wearing this contraption knows he needs to stop day-trading or whatever and have a glass of water. It's still in the conceptual stage right now, but it's far along enough for Philips to make a hilariously overwrought teaser. Check it out here. [Philips via Engadget]

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]

Jump to minute 2:00 to get into the test itself:

Yes, the iPhone wins. Even with its software keyboard, it proves more accurate than the netbook's tiny keys. I think I see him doing some finger sliding with the iPhone at one point—which is a good way to get accurate typing under stress conditions—but my guess is that the iPhone word prediction and correction did the rest of the trick.

Some will argue that this test is too extreme and it will not happen in real life. Obviously, those people have never ridden the New York City subway, which sometimes gets pretty close to this experience. Specially in some of the express lines, which feel like a amusement park crazy ride rather than a train. Sure, maybe the subway turns don't generate three times the force of gravity, but to me it feels close enough. [Crave UK]

Why would anyone spend $30 on this? I mean, it's not even USB. Ask Japan—athough I doubt that anyone in the country could give you a real answer. Still, it's less crazy looking than making engine noises with your mouth (barely) and it beats the hell out of speeding tickets. [Nodaya via Crunchgear via Boing Boing Gadgets]

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.

Every time I try one I want to get a knife and cut them in little pieces, which is probably what I will do if someone gets me these for Xmas. Still, they look like a perfect stocking stuffer for just $12. [Deviant Wear]

Visitors to the exhibit were examined before and after their 15-minute stay in the room with heart monitors. Not surprisingly, most experienced a significant reduction in their heart rate. Wiseman hopes that similar facilities will be set up by organizations to combat stress related problems. He noted: "We are interested in helping out the commercial sector but this isn't a commercial exercise. We're not selling a relaxation room, we're selling the idea of relaxation."

Don't get me wrong, something like this would definitely help to reduce stress in the workplace. However, incidents of sleep-related tardiness would skyrocket. [University of Hertfordshire via Psysorg and the Guardian]

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]

It can even alert you of your own stress level in case you're wrapped up in something and don't know that the veins in your forehead are busting out again. The only worry we have is that this site seems somewhat phony in that it doesn't have much product info, but maybe that's how they do things in the UK. No price or availability info. [HotForest via Shiny Shiny]

Noticing that my breasts provide a source of comfort for my partner, I decided to take matters into my own hands and make him a personalized version of a classic erotic novelty: a squishy boob-shaped stress relief toy, modeled after one of my very own. Maybe now he'll leave me alone so I can get important things done.

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]

The levels of "coherence" detected by this range from red for low coherence (preparing for your murder trial), to blue for medium (mother-in-law's coming to town), to green for high coherence (the feeling you got right after you murdered your mother-in-law).

The point is to exhale and inhale and think of something positive. When the device detects you into the green area, you're set to get back to work! Available now for $199. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Heart Math Store via Gearlog]

The folks at NRQ Productions went down to Wal-Mart and did a "stress test" on the DS Lite LCD. We don't advocate doing this, since breaking the display unit is kind of a dick-ish thing to do, but luckily for them (and Wal-Mart) the DS Lite passed with flying colors. Peep the video to see some agonizing screen-bending footage. – Jason Chen

DS Lite LCD Stress Test [NRQ Productions]

In one of the boldest attempts to blame technology for their problems, a poll by Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) in Britain showed that more than a third of men, and just a quarter of women, turn to booze when their computers crash or cause them trouble. I mean, wow. Almost a third of folks said that IT-related problems were a huge source of stress, causing many of them to also light a cigarette. Come on, you can laugh. I know you want to. You'll be happy to know, however, that death and divorce still top the list for stress and the self-destructive behavior that tends to accompany it. Thanks DPP. I feel a lot better now.

IT stresses 'driving UK to drink' [BBC]

Not much real info on the site just yet but the design is really excellent-looking. I like the big "Breathe" button. If this thing can make me perform like Sting, I'm in.

Product Page [StressEraser]