I'm in the beginning stage of sewing by hand a cover for my martial arts equipment. I love the feel of the coarse fabric under my fingers, the growing row of little stitches. There is something calming, centering about work with the hands. The rhythm of the activity, the concentration it requires helps us out of the circular thinking that can percolate under stress. When sanding a piece of unfinished furniture, shelling pecans or peeling potatoes - you know when your project is complete - and it feels satisfying! I've always thought that people who repair clocks, mend shoes, make or repair guitars were very fortunate in their lines of work. Work with the hands can take us from distraction to focus, stress to contentment.