7 fun stress-busting gadgets

Feel the blood pressure rising or find yourself gritting your teeth so you don’t accidentally knock someone’s block off? Here are some great novelty gadgets to help you say goodbye to your pent up aggression.

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Fun
ways to
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Feel the blood pressure rising or find yourself gritting your teeth so you don’t accidentally knock someone’s block off? Here are some great novelty gadgets to help you say goodbye to your pent-up aggression.

Killer putty? It looks like a dark ominous blob of gloop, but it’s alive! Okay, it acts like it’s alive, but it’s actually just infused with hundreds of tiny magnetics, which allows you to bring it to life with a magnet. You can squish it, stretch it, rip it in half, throw it at walls, bounce it and smash it with a hammer so it shatters. It even eats things. It’s a great way to work out your pent-up aggression after a frustrating day in the office. (Fishpond.com.au, $25)

Having a bad day at work? Flick it, punch it, take a swing at it or slap it and this mini swearing punchball will let loose with random phrases to make a foul-mouthed sailor blush. It’s the perfect size to pop on your office desk. However, it’s not for those with sensitive ears. (The Mad Shop, $15)

Having a stink day? Is your boss being a doodie-head? Squeeze the crap out of this Poop Stress Ball when your day seems like it’s turning sour. You’ll find it an excellent way to relieve your anxiety and frustration. Practical jokers may enjoy leaving it on the floor of the bathroom. (Kleargear.com, USD$2)

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Tempted to fling your phone across the room in a burst of blinding rage? Why ruin a good phone when you could take your anger out with a Stressberry. Squeeze it, jump on it, you can even run over it with your car. (Megagadets.nl, $8)

The rhythmic sound of a beating heart is soothing to a frazzled soul. It simulates a live heartbeat and changes every time you turn it on just like a real heart. If your husband’s a cold fish who doesn’t like to snuggle, you’ll find your stress melts away with the beating heart stress relief pillow. (Thinkgeek.com,. US$40)

More stylish than one of those old blocks of wood, the Ex Knife Set and Holder is a cutting edge design with a dual purpose. It stores knives safely, keeping them super sharp, and provides stress relief every time you put your knives away. (Thinkgeek.com, $80)

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Turn your paper war zone into a fishy oasis with the USB Fishaquarium. Aquarium therapy is used widely by dentists to calm nervous patients. But wait there’s more… it’s not just an aquarium; it’s a clock, a desk lamp and a place to stash your pens. The pump and filtration system runs off USB power. (Thinkgeek.com, US$40)

• Stress Popper Pro: Digital bubble wrap
• Stress Tracker: Free app to pinpoint anxiety causes and manage stress
• Breathe2Relax: Uses breathing from the diaphragm to control stress
• Relaxing Sounds of Nature: Wind, ocean and wave sounds to help you relax and sleep better
• Beat the Boss: Punch him, slap him, hit him, egg him and so much more

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