I don't think it is a shed cycle because she's looked the same since I got her, and being a black eyed lucy her eyes have yet to "go into blue". As for the towel technique I can try that, but the placement of her tub is in a small "closet" in the dark with a majority of the time (a small fan nearby to regulate airflow and humidity) so I'm not sure if would be any different than how I have her now.

As far as stress goes I'm at a loss because the first week or so she was not at all active and much like a "pet rock", and she's only been this active after I've made slight changes to better her enclosure (better temps, humidity, clutter/hiding locations).