{{Short description|Small stones rubbed for anxiety}} {{Refimprove|date=July 2014}} {{Unreliable sources|date=May 2018}} thumb|right|Worry stones '''Worry stones''' are smooth, polished gemstones, usually in the shape of an oval with a thumb-sized indentation, used for relaxation or anxiety relief. Worry stones are typically around {{convert|3|cm|0}} in size. 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. The action of moving one's thumb back and forth across the stone is thought to reduce stress, but there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support this.<ref name=":0" />
Worry stones may also be called palm stones, thumb stones, fidget stones, soothing stones, or sensory stones.{{cn|date=July 2022}}
== History == 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.{{cn|date=July 2022}} The concept of a worry stone began by the simple action of picking a smooth stone and fiddling with the stone.{{cn|date=July 2022}} Worry stones made by sea water were generally used by Ancient Greeks.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.anxietysisters.com/soother_of_the_month/worry-stones/|title=Worry Stones - Anxiety Sisters|work=Anxiety Sisters|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-US}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=January 2025}} The smoothness of the stone was most often created naturally by running water.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://kheopsinternational.com/blog/the-history-and-benefits-of-worry-stones/|title=The History and Benefits of Worry Stones {{!}} Kheops International|date=2018-02-09|work=Kheops International|access-date=2018-04-18|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Usage == thumb|How to hold a worry stone From the perspective of cognitive behavior therapy, the use of worry stones 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.<ref name=":0" /> Worry stones are simple and intuitive enough to be useful in therapeutic contexts where complexity and unfamiliarity are paramount concerns, such as when offering short-term treatment to refugees.<ref name=":0" /> 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. {{cn|date=July 2022}}
==See also== * Fidget Cube * Fidget spinner * Kombolói – Greek worry beads * Mood ring * Stress ball
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Culture of ancient Greece Category:Gemstones Category:Stress (biological and psychological)