I was in the middle of teaching a lesson on nutrition yesterday when my school went into lockdown. If you have ever been in a lockdown, you know they are a little stressful. The students are upset and rightfully scared. Taking care of 30 stressed third graders while you know that there is a gunman running around outside is not an easy time.
After we are given the all clear, the students leave the school and head home. I gathered my stuff, talked with my cooperating teacher, and headed out. At home, I wrote an entry on my other blog about the lockdown, debriefed with my wife, then headed out to the garden.
Digging holes is a great way to sweat off some frustration. I got a good patch dug, some roots removed from my garden, the dirt returned and smoothed and I felt much better. It makes me feel better in multiple ways. I get some done and I get my stress energy burned off. If I did not have other things to do last night, I may well have kept working on the garden until dark. As it is, I got a 3 foot by 3 foot patch triple dug and a section of what is going to be a path evened.
So, the next time your in a stressful situation, take the time to beat up your garden afterwards. You will both feel better for it afterwards.
