Stress Eraser Biofeedback Machine: Can something like this really work?

The Surgeon General should definitely issue a warning: Living is hazardous to our health. If you need any evidence of that, just look at your own life and think about how desperate you are to get a vacation. The cares of this world have a way of getting us down, and early mornings, bad commutes, bills, and job pressures all equal one terrible little five-letter word: stress.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was some kind of device that could reduce our stress? Well, that is the clear selling point of The Stress Eraser, a product found on First Street, "an online catalog for Boomers and Beyond". This little handheld device "helps to relax your body and calm your mind, just by changing your breathing and your focus".

It works like this: you start by placing your finger on the pulse sensor. I can only guess that the Stress Eraser somehow figures out that you are stressed from your pulse rate, which is one of the indicators of stress. From there, the display will show a breath wave that you are supposed to synchronize your breathing to. Apparently, that is all that is required to achieve a state of reduced stress.

You might be wondering: why would I need a device that tells me how to breathe? Can't I just do that on my own? You might be able to, but this device helps you accurately time the amount for proper breathing. It is recommended that you use the Stress Eraser not just for times of heightened stress, but for times before you go to sleep. The Stress Eraser has a timer that shows the timed amount of your session, and even glows in the dark. Not only that, it keeps tabs on your sessions, and follows your progress for a life of less stress. They even promise that a StressEraser for 15 minutes each night will result in feeling good again within 30 days. This is implying that you ever felt good in the first place.

The Stress Eraser device comes with a user's guide, and a genuine black leather case (with magnetic clasp). It also comes with 4 AAA batteries, even though the Stress Eraser only needs two of these batteries to operate.

Unfortunately, the device comes with a hefty price tag of $300.00. At this point, you need to ask yourself if there is a greater good accomplished by purchasing the Stress Eraser.