Hands in the Dirt

She pressed her hands into the soil and felt her breathing slow. Contact with natural environments has been associated with reduced stress, lower cortisol levels, and improved mood, even during brief exposure (Ulrich et al. 224).

Gardening and soil-based activities also engage sensory focus, which supports grounding and emotional regulation (Soga et al. 94). The dirt under her nails did not bother her. It reminded her that growth required contact, patience, and time.

She stood up steadier than before. Calm did not erase difficulty. It gave her enough balance to meet it.

Works Cited (MLA)
Soga, Masashi, et al. “Health Benefits of Urban Allotment Gardening.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 5, 2017, pp. 92–99.
Ulrich, Roger S., et al. “Stress Recovery During Exposure to Natural and Urban Environments.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol. 11, no. 3, 1991, pp. 201–230.