Worry beads or Komboloi beads have been used in Greek culture for centuries as a method of relieving stress.
It is uncertain exactly where they originated but it is thought likely that they were first used as prayer beads by the monks on Mount Athos in northern Greece and were used to count off the prayers. They were made of materials that were readily available, such as wood, shells, nuts and olive pits strung together on woollen string.
Another theory has it that worry beads travelled to Greece from Asia Minor and date from the occupation of Greece by the Turks from 1453 to 1821, the Greeks using the beads to mock the Turks.
Whatever the truth, they have been assimilated into Greek culture and no longer have a religious significance but merely a more medicinal one, in keeping their mind off the problems of the day, helping to reduce stress and perhaps reduce blood pressure and even helping to reduce cravings such as smoking or over eating.
Most worry beads made today consist of between sixteen and twenty beads strung on leather, string or fine metal chain, with one bead tied and set off and decorated with a tassel or decorative beads of a different shape. The beads are typically round or oblong and the string would be up to twice the length necessary to hold the beads so there would be plenty of room for the beads to move.
Many different materials are used in their making from the inexpensive plastics, acrylic, ceramic, bone and glass to the more costly porcelain and even more valuable made from natural stones such as amber, agate, emeralds, gold and silver.
There are no specific instructions as to how to use worry beads. The point is to occupy the mind for a number of minutes in order to divert the mind from the specific problems encountered or general stress of the day, thereby providing a soothing and more relaxing mood.
They are usually used with the palm of the hand upwards, strung over the middle finger and dangling downwards. The thumb is then used to guide each bead over the top so eventually all the beads are on one side at which time they are all swung back and the process is repeated.This continuous and methodical process helps relax the mind and aides stress relief. You too can reduce stress by making your own worry beads!
It is uncertain exactly where they originated but it is thought likely that they were first used as prayer beads by the monks on Mount Athos in northern Greece and were used to count off the prayers. They were made of materials that were readily available, such as wood, shells, nuts and olive pits strung together on woollen string.
Another theory has it that worry beads travelled to Greece from Asia Minor and date from the occupation of Greece by the Turks from 1453 to 1821, the Greeks using the beads to mock the Turks.
Whatever the truth, they have been assimilated into Greek culture and no longer have a religious significance but merely a more medicinal one, in keeping their mind off the problems of the day, helping to reduce stress and perhaps reduce blood pressure and even helping to reduce cravings such as smoking or over eating.
Most worry beads made today consist of between sixteen and twenty beads strung on leather, string or fine metal chain, with one bead tied and set off and decorated with a tassel or decorative beads of a different shape. The beads are typically round or oblong and the string would be up to twice the length necessary to hold the beads so there would be plenty of room for the beads to move.
Many different materials are used in their making from the inexpensive plastics, acrylic, ceramic, bone and glass to the more costly porcelain and even more valuable made from natural stones such as amber, agate, emeralds, gold and silver.
There are no specific instructions as to how to use worry beads. The point is to occupy the mind for a number of minutes in order to divert the mind from the specific problems encountered or general stress of the day, thereby providing a soothing and more relaxing mood.
They are usually used with the palm of the hand upwards, strung over the middle finger and dangling downwards. The thumb is then used to guide each bead over the top so eventually all the beads are on one side at which time they are all swung back and the process is repeated.This continuous and methodical process helps relax the mind and aides stress relief. You too can reduce stress by making your own worry beads!