“Use the impact drill to sink these screws and then grab a crescent wrench and a clamp, would ya, Jack Rabbit?” Dad said during a recent visit.

His nickname for me and instructions put me right back in the garage of my childhood home, where I would help him with his latest project, learn how to change the brake pads on our 1992 Ford Taurus or just generally hang out, talking and waiting for an assignment.

There’s something about manual labor and, let’s be honest, sweating alongside my dad like the good old days, that makes me feel like everything will be okay – even though I’m no longer 14, the garage is now in a different place and the problems I carry are a little heavier.

“Hard work is good for you,” Dad used to say. “It will make you grow up big and strong and put hair on your chest.”

I wasn’t that interested in growing hair on my chest, but I also assumed it was just something dads say in an effort to get us to do our chores. But, what if there’s more to it than that? What if hard work can heal?

To be clear, I’m not talking about the work you do in your day-to-day job. Often that is the stress we’re trying to escape! Instead, think about a project or hobby outside of work that you put special or different effort toward to achieve a benefit other than a paycheck.

Interested? Well, here are some lessons from Dad and I about why we think hard work can do good work in you.

First, it takes your mind off the present circumstance(s). Whether you’re planning out a project down to the tiniest of details like Dad does, or in the throes of building something, it takes focus. After all, you don’t want to get distracted and tune back in only to realize the drill slipped off the screw … just saying. And when you’re focused on the task at hand, it’s hard to find time to dwell on your current condition.

I’m not advocating for avoiding your problems, but sometimes giving your brain permission to think about something else is just what the doctor ordered. One study found those who tended to engage in distraction (compared to ruminating) in response to a depressive mood experienced a decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms over time – finding the right ratio for you is important.

Next, you’re in control. When the rest of the world seems like it’s gone crazy and you feel helpless to do anything about it, you CAN decide what type of project you want to work on, what it’s going to look like, how long it’s going to take, etc. You don’t need the board or a committee’s approval; you can just “get after it” (another dad-ism).

And then, when complete, you get a sense of satisfaction that can be hard to achieve through our other daily roles. Listen, I’m not even a person who gets joy from seeing a project through to completion. Every one of the personality and work style tests (as well as my former co-workers) will tell you I’m an “ideas” person more than a “details” one. But I even love seeing the visible, tangible evidence of a job well done. Maybe because it’s so novel?

Now, if you’ve experienced all the benefits above and you’re ready for the advanced level of “healing through hard work,” you dedicate your efforts toward helping someone else. The personal benefits of helping others are well documented. Doing hard work in service of others not only makes everyone involved feel good, but it also can improve your physical health, expand your network, and elevate your community. Most people will say they don’t help others for the personal gain, but I’m not afraid to admit I’m grateful for the gifts I get in return: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

This summer was a tough one for me. I weathered unthinkable loss, health challenges, and unwelcome change both myself and alongside my dearest friends. But in my Dad’s garage, with a hammer in hand, working with him on his latest project, I can see everything will be okay in time.

That’s the healing power of hard work. Do you have a story about how hard work has healed you?

How hard work heals

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