Worry Stones

Our worry stones come with a standardized oval shape and a size of 40 X 30 X 5-7 mm and have a round thumb-sized indentation.

Worry stones have many origins. Variations on the concept originate in ancient Greece, Tibet, Ireland, and multiple Native American tribes. The concept of a worry stone began by the simple action of picking a smooth stone and fiddling with the stone. Worry stones made by sea water were generally used by Ancient Greeks. Native American tribes would continuously give them to younger generations, creating a sense of connection from previous family members. They also believed these worry stones were considered a sacred item and they were extra special if they were made out of quartz.

From the perspective of cognitive behavior therapy, the use of worry stones can function as psychologically healthy self-soothing exercise, 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. The rubbing of the stone can create a sense of relaxation making the mind more relaxed and generating a sense of calmness. There are also people that may use them during meditation practices, this is known to center a person’s concentration benefiting the meditation.