Stress and anxiety, two words we are all too familiar with in today’s world. While it may feel like GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) is rapidly rising and society’s “progress” only leads to our stress increasing at an unmanageable rate, these feelings aren’t new. These have been common struggles for centuries and our ancestors had their own ways of coping with the daily stress of life. I’m a big believer in meditation and grounding yourself to the natural world around you to manage stress and anxiety. I also know the struggles of finding a quiet, secluded space in everyday life where if you drop into lotus pose and start chanting, your co-workers won’t gather around to stare as if you are a living art exhibit. I’m going to share with you the perfect solution, stones!
For thousands of years people have been harnessing the natural energy from stones to enhance and improve their lives. The incorporation of stones into my life has made such a dramatic difference that I’m compelled to share my knowledge and experience with you! While there may not be hard scientific proof of the benefits of stones, if you give it a try you might just be surprised! There are stones for every aspect of life but to cover them all at once would be information overload. To start, I’m going to share what started it all for me. I suffer from an anxiety condition and I found the medications being prescribed too harsh, with side effects I wasn’t willing to live with… I searched for alternatives and eventually stumbled into the world of stones and crystals!
Any of these stones can be used on their own as simple touch stones, carried in a pouch or worn as jewelry for constant effect.
The Best Stones for Relief of Stress and Anxiety:
Blue Lace Agate –This is my go-to stone for social situations. If I am going to a party where I don’t know very many people or I’m giving a presentation at work, you can bet my blue lace agate is hanging around my neck. Blue lace agate is a soothing stone with excellent grounding properties. Think of it as meditation on the go! Wearing it as jewelry or carrying it in your pocket will help sooth social anxiety and improve communication skills. Thanks to this stone my personal and professional lives have soared beyond what I thought was possible!
Amethyst – Amethyst is a healing stone first and foremost but what you may not realize is with that comes a very helpful sedative energy. It helps to balance emotional and hormonal disturbances while fueling your inner strength. Setting a large amethyst in your space (whether in your home or on your desk at work) will have a calming effect for not only you but also those you interact with. Wearing your amethyst will have a more potent and direct effect on you personally.
Lepidolite – This stone is a powerful resource to channel chaos into calm. When the only way out of a stressful situation is through, this stone can lend the hand you need. Lepidolite stabilizes emotional energy by dispelling negative energy. This is a powerful stone and is best used at the end of a difficult day. You will likely feel calm and relaxed after channeling your energy through this stone, but you may also feel exhausted or drained.
Pink Kunzite – This stone also removes negative energy but in a gentler process. I used to suffer from sever panic attacks and pink kunzite was a life saver. Used as a worry stone it removes negative energy and calms the panic centers. Rather than feeling drained as you might with other stones, pink kunzite tends to add a positive boost to your mood. If you suffer from panic attacks or sudden bouts of depression keep this stone close at hand at all times!
Danburite – Do you work in a high pressure job? Do you find yourself worrying about everyday obligations? I personally understand the stress that comes with a packed To-Do list. There never seems to be enough hours in the day…You don’t need more working hours. You don’t even necessarily need a more relaxed job. Start wearing danburite on a daily basis. It encourages self-love and acceptance, while building harmony between the heart, the mind and the spiritual world. It won’t shorten your To-Do list but can help make it more manageable all the same.
Chrysocolla – I recently acquired this stone in my life after the birth of my daughter. I was going through an identity crisis while navigating the emotional roller coaster that is new motherhood. I was drawn to this round stone that looked like a little planet earth I could stick right in my pocket. Like all the stones listed here, the key is emotional balance and this stone excels at that! This stone discharges our own negative energies while promoting self-confidence and inner strength. If you have a negative inner voice or feel off balance internally, this stone is a must!
Blue Kyanite – This stone isn’t for everyone. This is not a situational calming stone. If you have anxiety and are interested in a journey to long term inner peace, look no further. Used along with meditation this stone can push through confusion, fear, anger and blockages leading you to your inner truth. Don’t take this stone lightly. You must be prepared to face the part you played in the pains of the past. The acceptance and relief you will feel after this journey will be well worth it.
Blue Calcite – Simply having this stone in the room will gently lower blood pleasure and encourage relaxation. This stone soothes and and lifts anxieties while releasing negative emotions. This stabilizing stone enhances trust in yourself and your ability to overcome obstacles. Wear this stone at work or simply sit it on a shelf in your main living space at home and reap the benefits.
If you haven’t tried stones and crystals before it’s natural to be skeptical. My husband was a skeptic for years before finally joining me at my favorite stone shop. That day he was drawn in a way he couldn’t explain to a certain stone. I suggested he take it home and see what happens. It was no surprise to me that my artist husband was immediately drawn to a creative stone. He saw an immediate effect in his career and his hobbies and began to suspect. He asked me to tell him about the stone he had selected all those weeks ago and has been an adamant believer ever since!
*The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional.
**Reference material “The Crystal Bible” by Judy Hall
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