How to Combat Workplace Stress Using Crystals

All too often, we can feel dragged down and drawn out while at work. Stressors come in every shape and form, and each of us responds differently. But, one thing is for sure—stress is a negative factor in our everyday lives, and can have far-reaching consequences. How can we effectively deal with stress so that it doesn't affect our physical, spiritual, and emotional selves (not to mention our customers and co-workers)? Chakra Awakening author Margaret Ann Lembo has a new book, The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones, and it is a veritable treasure trove of crystal uses, including over 160 stones and 190 full-color photos to help you improve your life on all levels. We dug through it and provided some crystal shapes, colors, and uses for combating stress in the workplace.

What Shape Stone Should I Use?
Picking the correct stone or stones can be a daunting proposition, beginning with its shape; natural stones come in a variety of shapes and sizes. First, identify if you can a specific problem for which you are seeking resolution, and pick a stone that is the correct cut and shape for that purpose. Below are some examples.

•  Arrowheads: Often carved out of black obsidian, other stones can be found in an arrowhead shape as well. Use this shape of stone to help remind you that there is always direction available to help you know what to do, where to go, and what to do next.
•  Geodes: Geodes are rounded rock formations that, once broken open, expose a beautiful crystalline interior made of agate, quartz, amethyst, or chalcedony. Use geodes to focus your attention on being more grounded while contemplating your innermost thoughts.
• Hearts: Many stones are cut and polished into the shape of a heart. Heart-shaped stones are dedicated to approaching whatever you are working on from the center of yourself—your heart chakra—and also help to focus your attention on attracting romance or more love into your life.
• Pyramids: Pyramids can be square, triangular, pentagonal, and so on. The common feature is
  that they are three-dimensional figures with a flat base and straight edges (polyhedrons). Use pyramids to amplify your focus and the preservation of knowledge, wisdom, love, and protection.
• Spheres: As the name suggests, spherical stones are shaped into a ball or orb. This shape is helpful during times when you are connecting with the oneness of all life and useful for meditation.
• Cubes: Cubes are a relatively common shape for gemstones. Use cubical stones for the completion of life cycles and for when you need to affirm that everything will turn out for the best.
• Octahedrons: An octahedron is three-dimensional form consisting of eight equilateral triangle facets; these stones have many numerological meanings, and provide inner strength and stability. Use these stones for embracing community responsibility and the interplay that has with each person’s domestic life.
• Cluster: Cluster-shaped gemstones do not fall neatly into any of the above categories, instead being clustered around a central point. Because of this matrix they are representative of the interconnectedness of everything. Use cluster-shaped stones when setting intentions that will have wide-reaching effects.
• Wand: The wand shape occurs naturally in nature, and many stones are also cut into this shape as well. Use a wand-shaped crystal for memory recall, to maintain focus, to amplify vital life force, and to strengthen concentration.

What Color Stone Should I Use?
As with picking a particular shape, picking the color of your gemstone can be done by goal or purpose. Below are a few examples of gems that are useful for common work-place issues.

• Amber: With conscious intention, amber gives you the courage to establish healthy boundaries in your relationships in all areas of your life.
• Amethyst: Amethyst is a powerful ally in changing unwanted realities and taking control of our current situation.
• Blue Lace Agate: Blue lace agate improves your ability to communicate with others and speak your truth. Use it when you want to be heard and truly understood.
• Bloodstone: Bloodstone provides a needed boost for creativity and motivation.
• Emerald: Emerald is a sign of abundance, and helps when envisioning abundance all around you. It also helps with mental clarity.
• Garnet: Garnet is a stone of energy, for ourselves and for those around us.
• Larimar: This gemstone opens lines of communication, allowing you to fully listen to others and them to you.
• Rainbow Obsidian: Rainbow Obsidian is a good stone to use when you need to trigger your memory.
• Smoky Quartz: This gem is helpful for emotional and spiritual security, protecting us from doubts, worries, and the emotional vampires in our lives.

I've got my stone(s). Now What?
Once you've picked out the perfect stone, how do you use it to protect you from the rampant stresses of your workplace? In The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones, Margaret Ann Lembo offers the following:

• Carry smaller gemstones in your pocket. Every time you touch your chosen stone, bring your mind back to your intention.
• Put the chosen stone on your desk, workstation, or even on the dashboard of your car so that every time you look at it, the rock will remind you to be mindful and conscious of your thoughts and the actions you are taking to actualize your reality.
• Create a grid of stones in your office or at your desk. Set your intention by charging the group of gemstones to be used. (The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones offers an easy reference chart for creating crystal grids and alignments.)

Our workplaces are extensions of our lives, places where we spend large portions of our time. Why not use crystals, gems, and other minerals to make them happier, more fruitful places to be?