Worry stones are smooth stones people rub to help with anxiety and stress relief. Most of them have a small indentation for your thumb. You can make your own stones using objects found in nature or mold them using clay.
Homemade Clay Worry Stones
Make your own homemade worry stones with polymer clay that you can bake to a nice sheen in the oven in your kitchen. Polymer clays bake at low temperatures -- 215 to 325 degrees Fahrenheit -- unlike other clays that have to be baked in a kiln at well over 1,000 degrees F.
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Things You'll Need
Oven-safe polymer clay
Oven
Baking sheet
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 230 degrees or the temperature specified in the clay manufacturer's instruction.
Step 2
Pinch off a small amount of clay and roll it into a ball. Flatten the clay so that it takes on an oval flat-stone shape.
Step 3
Press your thumb into the center of the ball to create an indentation. Smooth any rough edges. Make multiple worry stones to give as gifts to take full advantage of the oven's heat.
Step 4
Place the clay worry stones on the baking sheet. Bake them in the oven for 30 minutes or the amount of time specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Most polymer clays require anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes per 1/2 inch of clay.
Step 5
Remove the stones from the oven. Turn off the oven. Allow the stones to cool.
Worry Stones From Nature
Talk a walk in nature to find a variety of flat stones you can use to make worry stones for yourself or as gifts.
Things You'll Need
Newspapers or plastic covering
Several flat, smooth stones
Acrylic paints
Paintbrush
Step 1
Protect your work surface with newspapers or a plastic covering.
Step 2
Wash and dry the flat smooth stones to remove dirt.
Tip
If you are unable to find a flat smooth stone in your backyard, check near bodies of water such as rivers and lakes, where the movement of water has smoothed many stones. Look for stones that already a slight depression in them.
Step 3
Use the paintbrush to apply acrylic paint to one side of each stone. Allow to dry.
Step 4
Repeat Step 3 on the opposite sides of each stone. Let dry until the paint is no longer tacky to the touch.
Step 5
Apply a second coat of paint if desired.
Tip
If you are making a worry stone with a child, allow the child to decorate the stone with stickers or other decorations. You can seal the stickers using clear nail polish or a clear glue.
How to Use Worry Stones
You can use worry stones for luck and protection, to enhance your meditative practices or to help relieve stress. Rub the stone with your thumb when you find that you are anxious. The soothing motion helps to calm the nerves.
Luck and Protection
Worry stones are said to be similar to thunder stones used in the Middle Ages to protect from sinking ships and lightning. According to Irish folklore, connemara marble worry stones brings peace and tranquility to the person carrying it. To use the stone for luck and protection, carry it in your pocket or wear it as a charm on a necklace or as a piece of jewelry.
Enhances Meditation
In Greece, worry beads or komboloi were used by monks as prayer beads. Today in Greece, worry beads are used similarly to worry stones for meditation and relaxation.
Rub or simply hold a stone while meditating to help you stay focused. You can also place your focus on the worry stone, using it as a focal point while meditating. The stone is not just helpful during mindful meditation; you can rub the stone when you are losing focus to bring you back to the task at hand.
Stress Relief
Some researchers suggest that keeping the hands and mind busy with a repetitive action as when passing worry beads from finger to finger can relieve stress. The worry stone is no exception to these findings.
Carry the stone in your pocket. When you're feeling stressed or worried, hold the stone and rub it with your thumb. This repetitive action helps to clear and calm the mind.