Too clean or too dirty? Here's why it's important to strike a balance between these two…

Friday: Mindfulness by Miles FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Hello! I’m excited to share with you another mindfulness- and health-related topic. Every Friday, I talk about various tips, activities, or events that I find useful in my life. My hope is that you’ll also be interested and compelled to apply the lessons you learn from these articles in your personal life and career. Today, I’ll discuss one of the factors that can help strengthen your body’s immune system. Read on to know the importance of exposing yourself to a healthy biodynamic environment. I’m highlighting a few industry experts’ studies that explain why a little bit of dirt exposure is good for your body. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Too clean or too dirty? Here's why it's important to strike a balance between these two… Have you ever tried making mud pies as a kid? What about rolling down a hill at full speed then falling flat on a big puddle at the end? How about gardening without using gloves? If you experienced any of these activities when you were young, looking back at these memories now will make you realize that as children, it was second nature to us to play in the dirt and touch things regardless of whether or not they were clean. Well, what can we say? Doing these activities were so much fun back then! Sadly, fewer children experience that kind of fun these days because some parents are afraid of the germs kids could get from doing these activities. … but did you know several scientific studies contradict this parenting mindset? In fact, research shows some of the most powerful health benefits come from our contact with “good” dirt and the natural environment. Dr. Zach Bush is a triple board-certified physician who reminds people to “play in the dirt.” In a recent podcast where he was a guest speaker, he said we have around 1.4 quadrillion bacteria and fungi, and 1.4 quadrillion mitochondria living within us. Another interesting detail he mentioned in the podcast? These good bacteria, fungi, and mitochondria—which help regulate our emotions, keep our skin clear, and fix our autoimmune issues—thrive on good dirt! That’s why Bush calls for a return to the natural world as a means to boost our bodies’ ability to care for themselves. He says: “Re-engaging in that environment is what will heal you best. By exposing yourself to a healthy biodynamic environment—not one riddled with toxins—you give your immune system the chance to regulate itself with good bacteria and fungi, etc.” Bush isn’t the only expert who advocates getting dirty for the sake of good health. Microbial scientists Jack Gilbert, Rob Knight, and Sandra Blakeslee also agree with Bush’s claims and even published the book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System.” In this book, the authors explain that keeping dirt and other bacteria out of our immediate environment leads to an overzealous, inflammatory immune system. I personally find this concept interesting and helpful. When I was a first-time parent, I also had reservations about letting my children play in the mud or in any outdoor setting because I’m afraid something terrible might happen to them. However, I realized that letting them be kids, which included experiencing all sorts of activities, is beneficial in the long run. By allowing them to be exposed to some kind of “good” dirt, I’m doing their immune system and their overall well-being a favor. Below are some of the benefits of getting occasionally exposed to dirt: Better mental health A robust immune system Neurocognitive development Balanced mood and behavior Healthy hormonal functions According to Gilbert, Knight, and Blakeslee, exposing ourselves to sufficient microbes is more than just a good idea. It’s also been shown to improve our cognitive development. In other words, having a healthy microbiome positively impacts our stress and anxiety levels, mood, sociability, and ability to learn. Allow me to share some activities you can do to enhance your body’s microbiome: Breathe “good” dirty air. You can boost your body’s immunity by breathing in “good” dirty air—the kind you find in forests, nature, national parks, etc. It’s good to visit these places every once in a while because they have a healthy and intact biodynamic environment. So, seek out as many natural environments as you can! Broaden your nose’s horizons. You’ll see, this will have a positive effect on your body’s overall response to various stimuli and allergens. Play in the dirt. I know it’s unlikely for us adults to receive this advice. After all, we’re expected to do all sorts of grown up things given our current ages. However, when I say, “play in the dirt,” I don’t literally mean you should play like a child. What I mean is for you to go to your backyard, take your shoes off, and run around in the grass with your dog or children for at least 5 minutes. You may also do other activities like watering the plants, doing a few stretches, etc. The key is to get your daily dose of vitamin D, move your muscles, and enjoy. Try gardening. According to several studies, gardening exposes you to good microbes, which get on your skin and into your respiratory tract as you dig the soil. These bacteria contribute to a decreased incidence of allergies and asthma in both children and adults. Additionally, other researches point to the stress-relieving properties of gardening, which comes from simply being in nature or touching Mother Earth. One study even showed hospital patients with views of trees healed more quickly and reported less pain than patients who simply have views of brick walls. — In the book, authors Gilbert, Knight, and Blakeslee wrote that aside from the diverse gut bacteria and brain boosting benefits of dirt exposure, a sufficient amount of microbes in the body decreases the risk of developing allergies. I personally think this is an interesting connection given the prevalence of allergies that have risen among humans over the years. Think about this: Many of our grandparents didn’t have to deal much with allergies before like some of us do now. One of the factors that contributed to their well-being? Exposure to “good” dirt! Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying we should stop cleaning our house, taking a bath, using alcohol or hand sanitizers, etc. I’m simply saying we should drop the mindset of overly cleaning ourselves and our environment because it also takes a toll on our immunity in the long run. So, let’s continue to practice proper hygiene while also challenging the overly hygienic system that has contributed to a significant drop in diversity of the average gut microbiome. I hope you find today’s topic useful and insightful! If you’d like to know more about these kinds of topics, feel free to connect with me on my LinkedIn account.     Follow us on LinkedIn.