Worry beads are commonly used in many countries (ex: Turkey and Greece) as men's accessorize to relieve stress and generally pass the time.

The stones used to make the prayer beads have physical, metaphysical and psychological affects on their users.

Komboloi, kompoloi (Greek κομπολόι) , or Greek worry beads are used to relieve stress and generally pass the time.

Greek komboloi has an odd number of beads (one more than a multiple of four, e.g. (4x4)+1, (5x4)+1, etc) and usually have a "head" composed of a fixed bead (παπάς 'priest'), a shield (θυρεός) to separate the two threads and help the beads to flow freely, and a tassel (φούντα).

Another type of komboloi with long string and only two beads, is known as "begleri".