You’re at the beach. You start moving sand. First, it’s just a little pile, but ten minutes later, you’ve got a trench that reaches your elbows. It feels good. It feels right. Honestly, if you’ve ever found yourself thinking i like digging holes while staring at a patch of dirt in your backyard or a sandy shoreline, you aren't alone. It’s one of those weirdly universal human urges that feels almost primal, yet we rarely talk about why we actually do it.
Most people think it’s just a "guy thing" or something kids do until they grow out of it. They're wrong. Digging is deeply therapeutic. It’s physical. It’s a literal connection to the earth that provides an immediate sense of accomplishment that your spreadsheet at work could never provide.
There is a specific kind of quiet that comes with the rhythm of a shovel hitting the soil. The world shrinks. It’s just you, the tool, and the resistance of the ground.
The Science of Why I Like Digging Holes
Why do we do it? Evolution might have a few answers. For the vast majority of human history, digging was survival. We dug for tubers and roots. We dug pits to trap animals. We dug shelters to stay warm and graves to honor our dead. When you feel that spark of joy from moving earth, you’re likely tapping into a "seeking" system in your brain that once kept your ancestors alive.
Biological anthropologist Richard Wrangham has written extensively about the "cooking hypothesis" and the importance of underground storage organs—basically starchy roots—in human evolution. To get those calories, we had to dig. It’s encoded in our DNA.
But there’s also the "Effort-Driven Rewards Circuit." This is a term coined by neuroscientist Dr. Kelly Lambert. Her research suggests that working with our hands, especially in a way that produces a visible result, triggers a cocktail of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. In a digital world where our "work" is often invisible pixels, digging a hole offers a tangible, 3D proof of existence. You moved that dirt. It wasn't there before, and now it is.
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The Mental Health Component
Let's talk about "grounding." You've probably heard the wellness influencers talk about it, usually involving walking barefoot on grass. But digging is grounding on steroids. You are literally immersing your hands in the microbiome of the soil.
Soil actually contains a specific bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae. Several studies, including notable work from the University of Bristol, have found that exposure to this bacterium can mirror the effect of antidepressants. It stimulates serotonin production in the brain. So, when you say i like digging holes, you might actually be saying "I like self-regulating my nervous system through dirt-based probiotics."
It’s also about control. We live in a chaotic world. You can’t control the economy. You can’t control your boss. You can, however, control the exact dimensions of a hole in your garden. There is a profound sense of sovereignty in that.
Not All Holes Are Created Equal
People dig for different reasons, and the "vibe" of the dig changes based on the environment:
- The Beach Hole: This is the most social version. It’s ephemeral. You know the tide is coming in to take it, which removes the pressure of perfection. It’s pure play.
- The Garden Hole: This is purposeful. You’re making a home for a tree or a shrub. There’s a sense of legacy here.
- The "Just Because" Hole: This is the purest form. No plants. No posts. Just the act of excavation. This is where the true enthusiasts live.
Is This a "Man Thing"?
There’s a popular meme-culture obsession with men digging holes at the beach. You’ve seen the photos—a group of guys standing around a five-foot-deep crater, looking immensely proud. While it’s often joked about as "peak masculine behavior," the urge transcends gender.
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However, there is a social element to it for men specifically. Digging provides a "side-by-side" activity. Many men find it easier to bond and talk while their bodies are occupied with a physical task. It’s low-pressure socialization. You don't have to make constant eye contact if you're both staring at a stubborn rock at the bottom of a pit.
The Physical Benefits You Shouldn't Ignore
Digging is an incredible full-body workout. It’s not just arms. You’re using your core to stabilize, your legs to drive the shovel, and your back to pivot.
- Functional Strength: Unlike a bicep curl, digging forces your muscles to work in a coordinated, functional pattern.
- Grip Strength: Holding and maneuvering a shovel builds forearm density.
- Cardio: If you’re moving at a steady clip, your heart rate will climb into the fat-burning zone faster than you’d think.
Just be careful with your form. Most people dig with their lower back. Don't do that. Pivot your whole body and use your legs as the primary engine. If you wake up the next day and your lower back is screaming, you weren't digging; you were just straining.
Historical Context: Famous Diggers
Humans have a long history of being obsessed with what’s underneath us. Look at the "Hobby Tunnelers." One of the most famous examples is William Lyttle, known as the "Mole Man of Hackney." He spent 40 years digging a web of tunnels under his multi-million dollar London home. Why? He simply said he "liked to dig."
Then there’s the Fossatum Africae, a massive ditch and wall system in North Africa. Thousands of soldiers spent years digging into the earth to mark the boundaries of the Roman Empire. We are a species that marks our territory by moving the ground.
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Practical Advice for Your Next Dig
If you’re ready to embrace the fact that i like digging holes, do it right. Don't just grab a rusty spade and go to town on your lawn.
First, check for utilities. This is the boring, adult part, but hitting a gas line or a fiber optic cable will ruin your "grounding" experience very quickly. In the US, call 811 before you do anything deep.
Second, get the right tool. A "round point" shovel is your best friend for general digging. If you’re dealing with heavy clay or roots, you want a "sharpshooter" or a trenching spade. The weight of the tool matters; a heavier shovel does some of the work for you through gravity, but it’ll tire you out faster.
Third, consider the soil moisture. Digging in bone-dry dirt is like trying to shovel concrete. Digging in mud is a messy nightmare. The "Goldilocks" zone is soil that is moist enough to hold its shape when squeezed but not so wet that it sticks to the shovel like glue.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Excavator
- Start Small: Don't try to dig a koi pond in an afternoon. Start with a small "test hole" to understand your soil composition.
- Layer Your Work: Dig in "lifts." Take off the top two inches across the whole area, then the next two inches. It’s more efficient than trying to go deep in one spot immediately.
- Manage the Tailings: Decide where the dirt is going before you start. If you don't have a plan for the displaced earth, you'll end up with a mess that makes the hole look like an accident rather than a project.
- Mind Your Joints: Switch your lead foot every few minutes. If you always push the shovel down with your right foot, you’re going to end up with an asymmetrical muscle strain.
- Embrace the Silence: Leave the podcasts and music inside. Listen to the sound of the earth. It’s part of the therapy.
Digging isn't just about the hole. It's about the process of uncovering. It's the simplest way to interact with the physical world in a society that is increasingly digital and disconnected. The next time you feel that urge to grab a shovel, don't overthink it. Just start digging.