What’s driving these incredible results is not yet clear. It could be linked to changes to the immune system, or something about breathing healthy air, soaking in the sun, exercising more, or having greater peace of mind.
Given the complexities of the real world, it’s really hard to control for all the environmental factors that impact our health in studies.
While rural children tend to have fewer cases of asthma and allergies, the available literature on the link between green spaces and these immune disorders is inconsistent.
The research here had a small sample size, only found a correlation, and can’t account for what children were doing outside daycare hours, but the positive changes seen were enough for scientists in Finland to offer some advice.
“It would be best if children could play in puddles and everyone could dig organic soil,” explained environmental ecologist Aki Sinkkonen, also from the University of Helsinki.
“We could take our children out to nature five times a week to have an impact on microbes.”
The changes are simple, the harms low, and the potential benefits widespread.
Bonding with nature as a kid is also good for the future of our planet’s ecosystems. Studies show kids who spend time outdoors are more likely to want to become environmentalists as adults, and in a rapidly changing world, that’s more important than ever.
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