Ziff-Davis Web Site ZDNet reviewing StressMaster 3.0:
"StressMaster is a life-improvement program that enables you to chronicle and monitor your levels of stress, set personal goals, and design strategies for becoming emotionally and spiritually healthy.
The interface is both simple and attractive, featuring a high-quality piece of artwork. Life Improvement components include Cope with my Daily Stress, Calm my Anger, Define my Goals, Overcome my Addictions, Change my State of Mind, Write my Journal, and more. Journal files can be backed up.
A searchable State of Mind Library lists adjectives running the gamut from "able" and "accepted" to "unhappy" and "upset." Our favorite element of StressMaster, though, is its Stress Management Strategies, which offers such stress-busters as Biofeedback, Breath Control, Exercise, Self-Talk, and more.
If you're feeling a bit lost, you might also check out the interesting extra "Things to Remember," which inspires you with such wisdom as, "The world is magic when you decide it is." See for yourself if StressMaster is a magical program. Help is included."
From the "User friendly" column of the Winnipeg Free Press
Software chases away stress Unleash feelings to cut the bad, accent the good.
DO YOU FEEL angry for no apparent reason? Are you easily upset? Do find no meaning to things? Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you have any of these symptoms? Headaches, stomach-aches, back pain, sleep problems? Are you having any of these problems? Difficulty thinking clearly, lack of creativity, inability to make decisions. Are you using any of these quick fixes: Smoking, abusing alcohol, using any kind of drugs, compulsive eating?
Medical experts say any of these symptoms can be a strong warning signal that it is time to reconsider the way you handle daily stress. Using destructive techniques like alcohol or any other chemical crutches, that only calm the symptoms, is just a harmful choice. But now, thanks to a California company, you can turn to your personal computer for relief. Acal Corp. of Foster City, Calif., has come up with a stress-management software application called StressMaster.
According to Acal, studies show that more than 70 per cent of all modern diseases - cardiovascular illnesses or cancers, for example - are related to long-term, destructive lifestyles or stress. Health psychology shows that simple changes in habits can, over time, considerably improve the quality of life. For example, the accumulation of cortisol in the brain, as a result of poor stress-coping habits, has been linked with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
StressMaster comprises a series of 16 stress-management strategies that can be used at work or at home with desktop PCs, or about anywhere with laptop PCs. In addition to instant exercises that are clearly explained, StressMaster follows a "guided journal'' paradigm that helps users understand why they react the way they do and helps modify unwanted reactions to stressful events. I found the software easy to use with two main menus - Life Improvements and Life Designer. It prompts you to select a topic from the menu and then presents options.
For example, under Life Improvements-Calming Anger, the user is asked to: "Express your feelings in writing to exorcise the negative ones and reinforce the positive.'' You are then asked to: 1. Write a few sentences starting with: I hate it when . . . I am furious when . . . 2. Then feel and express your pain: I feel hurt . . . 3. Now feel and express your fears: I feel scared . . . I am worried that . . . 4. Now feel and express your powerlessness: I feel powerless . . . I can't handle . . . 5. Then feel and express remorse for your part: I feel embarrassed . . . I apologize . . . .
Under the Life Designer menu, you are assisted in writing your own Life Scenario. "Answer the following questions. Let your imagination go wild. Don't be reasonable."Let your inner child do the dreaming.''
1. What famous person or fantasy character would you like to be like?
2. Where on Earth would you like to live? How? With whom?
3. Go back in history or way ahead in the future. When would you like to live? To do what?
4. If you were a plant which one would you like to be? Why?
5. If you were an animal which one would you like to be? Why?
In all, the program uses 11 tools aimed at helping you discover your own hidden talents and gifts. Since a good deal of stress in the workplace can be related to computers, it does make sense to have something on the PC to help deal with that stress. One nice thing about this software is that is won't stress you out to try it. It can be downloaded from the Internet - my download took about 10 minutes with a 28.8K modem - at http://www.acal.com.
You can test the full version StressMaster freely for 30 days. If you like it, pay $99.95 US by Visa or MasterCard, and you get a key that allows you to use the program for an unlimited time with no need to download again. You also get free technical support and information on new developments.
StressMaster requires a 386 or higher microprocessor, 4 MB of RAM, 5 MB of disk space, Win 3.x., 95, 98 or NT.
For more information, contact Boris Clair at 1-650-341-2228, or by e-mail at boris@acal.com.
Acal, founded in 1985, is a Silicon Valley company specializing in interactive personal development and wellness technology.
Ziff-Davis Web Site ZDNet reviewing StressMaster 2.0:
"StressMaster is an interactive program offering many techniques for dealing with day-to-day stress. It relies heavily on journaling, and provides a daily journal section, in addition to other writing tools that provide though-provoking questions to define goals, discover your life mission, uncover hidden talents, and much more. Spellcheck and thesaurus tools are included.
Stress coping techniques will have you rating your state of mind and writing about the triggers and effective ways of overcoming them. Instant stress control techniques such as biofeedback, laughter, and breath control are explained and additional resources, such as reading materials, are suggested. Long-term stress management options cover meditation, exercise, hobbies, visualization, and proper nutrition.
StressMaster will send you on an important journey of self-discovery as it teaches you skills that can improve your life."
Some users comments:
*I am just now getting acquainted with your software, and will, most likely, put the pedal to the metal and buy it before my time for free demo expires.
* StressMaster is by far the best self-help program I've ever seen
* StressMaster is a unique and useful program
* Offers many techniques and modules for dealing with stress
* Additional resources (suggested readings) are a nice touch
* I've found the program easy to use
* I love your program StressMaster
* Thank you for a great piece of software. I can't help but to envy the great work Acal have done for the Internet community. I am a programmer and I know the effort being put to achieve such a marvel.
* I must agree that this is an excellent piece of software and one that deserves praise in the aspect of data gathering and programming prowess. Great job!
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