Nature Play Boosts the Immune System

We've been parents for a little over a decade but the combined lives of our five children represent about 36 years of childhood. In the fall of 2011 we began spending around 1000 hours outside each calendar year and since then we've never needed even one doctors appointment for any type of illness. Our kids have gotten sick here and there but their bodies have always bounced back quickly. Our situation is anecdotal but there are several scientific reasons explaining how nature play boosts the immune system.

Outside kids move considerably more than inside kids and movement gets the lymphatic system pumping. The lymphatic system helps clean all the nasty stuff out of our bodies and in doing so, gives the immune system a boost. Without the movement of the lymph fluid throughout the body, all of the toxins and viruses just hang around inside the body. Sending your child outside for a few hours will eventually lead to some vigorous play, just what the lymphatic system needs to start working!

Outside kids are less stressed. There are well over 100 studies linking time in nature to a decrease in stress. When our bodies experience stressful situations they go into a fight-or-flight mode and cannot take in proper nutrients. Calm bodies promote optimal health. Taking kids into nature on a regular basis will help their immune system by helping induce a more relaxed state.

Vitamin D3 from the sun (which actually works more like a hormone than a vitamin) causes the immune system to trigger an anti-microbial response! I used to think everyone got sick in the fall because of the start of school and being in confined areas with many classmates. Another significant things that also happens in the fall is that children have considerably less sun exposure than they had during summer break. From one day to the next they go from spending ample time outside to very little time outside. Just like how movement gets the lymphatic system working, vitamin D3 is crucial in getting T cells working. T cells detect and kill dangerous pathogens in the body but they remain dormant if there isn't enough vitamin D3 in the body.

Playing in the dirt during early childhood exposes kids to different bacteria and microorganisms that can help with the development of their immune systems. Even (*gasp) eating a little dirt can contribute to a more diverse gut micro-biome and this helps with long-term health. One tiny square inch of soil will have 4 billion tiny creatures living in it!  Garden with your kids and let them dig in the rich soil. It will be good for so many aspects of their health.

Playing outside is an inexpensive investment in the short term and long term health of your family! ​