Aggielife Page 3 Thursday • April 3, 1997 oys the perfect cure for STRESS! By Melissa Price The Battalion r ith the ease of a pin prick, a person can fall in love, win the lotto, get a raise or even get lucky — at least the Stress Doll claims so. The Stress Doll, a small cushion-like fcre with a striking resemblance to a roodoo doll, is a toy marketed to nelp reduce stress. Thi doll comes * mill III pins IP'stuck in the fabric and various dots on the body where pins can be inserted in hopes of getting pro- rm ted— or fired. ^■Although some students relieve stress by exer- c^Bing, sleeping or watching TV, others are dis covering stress relief toys and aroma thera- Aas ways to reduce stress levels and get iBore energy. Irma Silva, an employee of |Bencer Gifts and a junior Span- ' aflh major, said stress toys have Bown in popularity over the past B)years. Although most stress toys are Blatively new, Silva said one well-known Bess toy dates back to the 1300s — Chinese v “health balls.†B The small metal spheres, which Borne people say increase physical ■trength and prevent some dis- Rases, date back to 1368 during pinna’s Ming Dynasty. Silva said everyone deals with stress in different ways. She said some of her methods of reliev ing stress are some- „ what unusual. “Sometimes I will color or doodle while I am stressed out — it takes my mind off anything stressful that is going on in my life," Silva said. “Also, wrestling with my boyfriend relieves stress, or some times I will build stuff with my broth er’s Legos.†Although she does not use stress relief toys herself, Silva ; r • said many toys stimulate the ^ p muscles and get the blood ’ flowing, allowing a person ^ ^ ' 'Z to relax. She said a person’s expectations for a stress toy strongly influence whether the toy will help. “It depends on the person and how they feel about it,†Silva said. “What works for one might not work for another — if you think it is going to work, it will work for you.†Dr. Debbie Rabinowitz, a psychologist at Student Counseling Services, said there are more effective ways of dealing with stress than stress-relief toys. She said students need to remember to take time out of their busy artwork by Brad Craeber and Tim Modi schedules to clear their mind of things that may be bothering them. Stress toys such as a stress ball are related to progressive muscle re laxation, where you squeeze your fist and then let go,†Rabinowitz said. “If it helps you to become more aware of what you are doing, I suppose stress toys can relieve some of your stress.†Douglas Robinson, manager of Spencer Gifts and a stand-up comedian, said he uses humor to alleviate the stress of others. He tries to provide a re laxed environment in the store and everywhere he goes. “I joke around with my employees and customers,†Robinson said. “If their atmosphere is less stressful, the existing stress doesn’t seem so bad.†Robinson said the Stress Reliever, a squishy head-shaped toy that claims to rid people of frustration in a fun manner, is the best-selling stress relief toy in the store. But others have found that aroma therapy truly calms a person while revitalizing his or her spirits. With its resurgence over the last fewyears, sales of aroma therapeutic candles, body lotion and bath salts have skyrocketed. Lori Saldivar, an employee at Bath & BodyWorks and a junior nu trition major, said she has used stress relief toys but prefers aro ma-tlierapeutic products. Saldivar said she has reservations about some of the stress relief toys on the market today. “I think some of the toys work, but some of them are over done and made just to make money,†Saldivar said. “I know I sound like a commercial, but at first I did not believe in the aro ma therapy products. I thought it was a hoax, but it’s not.†Saldivar’s favorite stress reliever is Bath & Body Works Pulse Point Cream. She said the cream is unique because applying the cream to a person’s pulse points (temples, wrists and nape of the neck) provides instant relief. Saldivar said eucalyptus and spearmint, two aromas strongly associated with relaxation, enable a person to clear his or her mind and relax. Silva said although stress toys are a fun alternative to such typical stress relievers as listening to music or working out, anyone can relax without the use of a stress relief toy. “Using a stress ball relieves stress P 'Jili's::.;:, somewhat,†Silva said. “By putting pressure on the ball, it takes the pressure off your head. But anything can serve as a stress reliever for you. Even if you have an old stuffed animal, you can use it as a V punching »'< bag.†Although i activities such as punching a bag can relieve stress, Rabinowitz said they are not the most ef fective solutions. She said stress relief toys may offer temporary relief from life’s daily demands, but they will not completely get rid of tension. “I think everyone has had the experience of being so frustrated they needed to just scream, where playing with one of your stress toys might be helpful,†Rabinowitz said. “But in the long run, they are not going to solve your issues.†April 24 rudder Auditorium 7:OOpm SUMMER JOa OPPORTUNITY • Good Pay • Experience Working with Children • Leadership Opportunities • Personal Growth • Resume Enhancement SEASON: May 15 - August 10 Call 1-800-RAGSDAL for Staff Application _ _ (724-7325) Stectwit trteartO'tnejHilCs est. 1924 E333J33 HUNT, TEXAS ESHOIIS est 1953 For more information call: /■x (210) 238-4670 • Fax (210) 238-4737 e mailMnfoCg^in^tewart.com hoh.com TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY 8 a.m. at the MSG Box Office A Persons with disabilities please call 845-1515 to il®* inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event f° enable us to assist you to the best of our ability. with Special Guest to be Announced SLJi.:; L Z.:a\ . V„c: JOB OPENINGS IN AGGIELAND Graduation ... Time for celebration, Time for reflection, and Time to LOOK FOR A JOB! The career you are looking for may be closer than you think. Universal Computer Systems, Inc., is among the industry leaders when it comes to providing quality computer systems to automobile dealerships. We have a long-standing tradition to our commitment to excellence and seek to hire the best potential employees possible. In addition to available positions located at our headquarters in Houston, we are offering the opportunity to work in a professional capacity in our newly expanded College Station facility. And our commitment to Aggieland is growing with the announcement of our newest 215,000 sq. ft. facility scheduled to open in College Station in 1998! If you are among the many Aggies who want to remain close to their second home after graduation and want to develop a career with an innovative, conservative and growing company, give us a call or send us your resume. All majors are welcome to apply! Universal Computer Systems, Inc. 6700 Hollister, Houston, TX. 77040 800-718-1400 713-718-1400 www.ucs-systems.com UCS...A Tradition in Quality, A Commitment to Aggieland.