Description
Worry stones (palm stones, thumb stones) are smooth, polished gemstones, usually in the shape of an oval (sometimes with a thumb-sized indentation), used for relaxation or anxiety relief. They are used by holding the stone between the index finger and thumb and gently moving one’s thumb back and forth across the stone.
From the perspective of cognitive behavior therapy, the use of worry stones (stress stone, release stone, groove stone, happy stone) is one of many folk practices that can function as psychologically healthy self-soothing exercises.
Such techniques are imparted at an early stage of treatment, displacing any familiar but destructive coping methods (nail-biting, scratching, lip-biting, etc.) that the patient may have developed. This helps ready the patient to safely confront anxiety or trauma.
Worry stones are simple and intuitive enough to be useful in therapeutic contexts where complexity and unfamiliarity are concerns such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or stressful situations. After a patient has mastered a more sophisticated relaxation script for anxiety management, the worry stone itself can serve as a physical ‘relaxation script reminder’; the patient may notice an impulse to use the object, and thereby become aware of their own anxiety.
As a folk practice implement, worry stones have many origins. Variations on the concept originate in ancient Greece, Tibet, Ireland and multiple Native American tribes.
Different kinds of crystals can help to enhance the process due to their metaphysical properties and piezoelectric and pyroelectric effect. Worry stones are cut from such crystals as agate, aventurine, and quartz, making great Worry stones.
Listing is for 1 (one) worry stone. Each stone comes with its metaphysical properties, cleansing, use and techniques along with a organza bag for storage. Each stone measures about 1 1/2 inches long and EACH stone is unique.
