A worry stone is an ordinary stone with extraordinary abilities to relax our troubled minds and help us cease worries. It became immensely popular during the 1970s and has been attracting the attention of many ever since. CrystalBenefits will give you everything you should know about a worry stone.
Did You Know?
According to Irish folklore, if you use a worry stone made from Connemara marble and rub it during times of distress, it will free your life from all worries and bring you good luck.
What exactly are these stones that spell worry? Well, for those who don’t know, the name may sound like a stone that invites trouble; however, what it actually does is just the opposite. Its smooth surface and flat shapes make it a friendly companion for you to carry anywhere at anytime and help you feel relaxed whenever you want.
If it were in our hands, we would name it something like ‘soothing stone’ or ‘relaxing stone’, but for now, let’s just consider, “What’s in the name?” What matters is the fact that this stone is used in cognitive behavioral therapy as well. Also, it has been scientifically proven that these stones benefit our psychology in many ways. The following section gives a brief explanation of its meaning and origin.
Meaning and Usage of a Worry Stone
Worry stones are a form of de-stressing stone that work towards relaxing your troubled mind when you rub them with your thumb. They are believed to be originated in ancient Greece. However, various other places including Tibet and Ireland are also linked with their origin. In fact, multiple Native American tribes are also known to have used this concept for relaxation. While initially, normal rocks found in water bodies were used for the purpose, these days, fancy stones with engraved markings of messages such as happiness, peace, calm, relax, and the like have come into the picture. In fact, these stones are also being manufactured using semiprecious gemstones.
Using it is as simple as rubbing the magic lamp and calling genie. All you have to do is place this flat stone in between your thumb and index finger. Rub the stone using your thumb so that the continuous motion activates the nerves situated at the base of your thumb that results in releasing natural endorphins. This, in turn, induces a sense of calmness and relaxation in the body and mind.
How to Make a Worry Stone
Although these stones are readily available in the market, with a variety of options available on websites such as eBay and Amazon, there is an all new feel when you actually make a worry stone on your own. The process is fairly simple. If you have a beach or a lake nearby, just go stone hunting. Find a smooth stone that appeals to you aesthetically. Ensure that it is neither too big, nor too small, and that it should perfectly fit in between your thumb and index finger. Oval-shaped or round stones work best. Alternately, if you don’t find a suitable stone, you can use baked clay instead.
Once you have selected the stone, thoroughly washed it, and dried it up, it’s time for some makeup! If you’re not happy with the natural color of the stone, you can paint it with your favorite color. Allow it to dry completely. If you wish, you can write some inspiring words on the stone such as love, peace, relax, smile, wellness, and so on. You’ll have to let the stone alone so that it dries out perfectly. After that, if you wish to have a glossy effect, use a coat of clear nail polish on the stone for an extra glow. An important tip you must remember during the process is to paint one side at a time. Only when one painted side of the stone is absolutely dry and ready, should you switch to the other side.
There you have it―your personally created worry stone is ready for use. These stones also make a perfect gift for a dear one. And when they know that you have made them from the scratch, we think it just makes this gift absolutely priceless.
The actual story behind the origin of this stone is lost in the folkloric tales. However, no matter what it was that led mankind to these is no less than a blessing. So, whenever you feel stressed, agitated, or worried, remember this: while you might not always have a dear one to comfort you, you will always have a worry stone.