SAND FOR STRESS

Natural sand baths in Japan have a history of more than 300 years. The sand of the beaches is infused with hot spring water that comes up from deep in the ground.

The beneficial effects of natural sand baths are medically proven. Rheumatism, lumbago and diabetes number among the many ailments that sand baths are believed to provide relief for. It is even said that sand baths are three to four times more effective than an ordinary hot spring.

At the natural sand bath facility at Saraku, Japan, you go to the front desk, pay your bathing fee and receive a special yukata to wear in the sand bath. In the changing room, you strip off all your clothes and put on the yukata.

Under a simple structure with a roof, about a 100 people can lie down. During the holiday season, there can be quite long lines of people waiting for their turn.

Staff members pour sand all over your body with a shovel. All except for your head, that is. I heard a man say that he came to this place regularly and never needed any doctors or medicine. Lying in the comforting sand, you could easily believe him!

Most people lie down for about 10 minutes in the sand. With the pressure of the sand all over your body, you soon start to sweat profusely.

According to a Saraku employee, the sand bath facility opened at the beach in 1996 and it enjoys 270,000 to 300,000 visitors each year.

When asked about the virtues of taking natural sand baths, the employee said, "Taking a natural sand bath while listening to the sound of the sea is a superb way of relieving stress."

Source: Yomiuri News, by Mr. Nasu, 2007-10-08.

Sand baths are wonderful, no doubt, but only God gives guaranteed results for the relief of stress and anxiety -- you have his Word on it! (copied)

Philippians 4: 6, 7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.