Worry Beads

[RedMage]

I made a string of worry beads, for counting, prayer etc, and so far they have not left my side.

I find they are excellent as a reminder (like those strings you tie to a finger or wrist, elastic etc) but in this case, to remain calm and they help with anxiety.

Granted if the anxiety is too severe, it can be coupled with meditation or a relaxing act.

I know beads are used in many traditions. I would like to expand my collection to malas and I already have some small christian rosaries.

As far as I understand, there's different ways to use them: You can google instructions on how to make them, or how to play with them traditionally. I usually just count them with my fingers and fiddle with them Generally there is a quiet method or loud method. It can also be used as an instrument if the beads are big enough I think.

[Transcendental Witch]

Those are great! I have a wrist japa mala (it has 27 beads, so 4 rounds = 1 round of 108 normal japa) that I use for chanting, and then I have several full-length malas and a bunch of beaded gemstone bracelets that I will just fidget with. I'll choose a gemstone that I want the qualities of for that day. It really does relieve anxiety. When I'm at the dentist, I'll chant silently on my wrist mala while they're working on my teeth, and it immediately drops me into a calm and relaxed light trance. They tell me I'm their most chill patient.

[RedMage]

These ones I make usually have 17 beads, as per the tradition of worry beads, as well as a shield bead and a priest bead. That's cool though that your mala beads help to a calming effect I'd like to make a proper mala bead set one day.

Here's another set of worry beads made from bone beads.

[RedMage]

This is the product of a few hours of tinkering and working A bunch of diverse looking mala beads, different amounts and bead materials.