What is nature exposure? What is meant by biodiversity?
Biodiversity encompasses the entire spectrum of life: the presence of habitats, species, and genes in a given area. Nature exposure refers to physical contact with this biodiversity – this applies especially to microscopic biodiversity, which includes a vast array of different microbes.
Why is regular nature exposure necessary?
Science has studied the importance of nature exposure for our well-being. Moving in nature and green environments has been found to have many favorable effects, such as lowering heart rate and stress levels. It has also been understood that our bodies need regular exposure to biodiversity for our immune system, among other things, to function correctly. Our bodies continuously observe the stimuli we receive from the environment and regulate their functions according to the information received.
Daily use stimulates immunity and maintains healthy skin function. Forest extract reduces redness and irritation, and increases age-defying collagen levels.
Is walking in a park once a week sufficient nature exposure?
There is no official definition of sufficient nature exposure, but even short-term movement in nature has been found to be important for mental well-being. A study conducted with kindergarten children found that just one month of regular nature exposure led to favorable immunological changes.
Similar favorable results have also been obtained in a study with adults, where contact with the rich and diverse microbial biodiversity of the soil positively affected immune system signaling molecules (immunomarkers) within just two weeks. Generally speaking, even a small amount of nature exposure is beneficial, but we recommend regular – even daily – nature exposure.
How does an urban environment differ from a rural and natural environment?
An urban environment differs from rural and natural environments in many ways. Natural environments are mosaic-like combinations of different micro-environments that provide a habitat for a vast number of different species – from animals and plants to tiny microbes. Cities offer fewer opportunities for the formation of a diverse biotic community, and only a few species can thrive in an urban environment. Many different pathogens have also been found to be more common in urban environments.What kind of biodiversity is good for us?
Nature offers us many benefits; beautiful natural landscapes and animals make us calm down and enjoy being in nature. Macro-level diversity is something we can easily observe with our eyes, but microscopic organisms, or microbes, are extremely important for our body and its functions, even if we cannot see them. Both of these levels of diversity are also interdependent and important to us.
How can I increase nature exposure in my busy daily life?
The busy pace of modern life and strong urbanization may be some of the reasons why we don't get to be in contact with nature often enough. Nature exposure can be increased, for example, by gardening or by using products that contain Re-Connecting Nature® microbial extract. The purpose of the product is to provide our body with regular nature exposure in an easy-to-use form. Well-being from nature can be obtained even indoors – by using products containing Re-Connecting Nature® microbial extract.
How does a lack of nature exposure affect my life?
Several studies have found that a lack of nature exposure, especially in childhood, can predispose us to several disorders of our body's immune system. A similar lack of nature exposure also affects many of our pets, such as dogs and cats.
If I don't want nature exposure, can it be harmful to me?
A lack of nature exposure does not necessarily mean that a person will get sick. Like a healthy and varied diet, it helps maintain healthy bodily functions.
I want to give my child the best possible start; can the lack of nature exposure in an urban environment have long-term harm for my child?
For a child's immune system to develop correctly and learn to recognize and differentiate between dangerous and harmless things, it needs sufficient exposure to a variety of microbes found in nature. Children living in urban environments do not receive the necessary training in microbial diversity because it is difficult for them to get the same kind of connection to nature as children living in forest and agricultural environments.
Although the immune system develops most effectively in early childhood, even in adulthood, regular nature exposure helps maintain the healthy and normal functioning of the immune system.
"In just a few days, Primal forest microbe cream completely cured our baby's hand, foot, and mouth disease blisters! The cream immediately relieved the itching of the rash and reduced redness. I tried the product myself on a blister that appeared on the inside of my lip, and it disappeared in a few hours. I highly recommend Primal! I will also continue to try it for the baby's skin folds and diaper rash.”
Can you get too much nature exposure?
According to current knowledge, you cannot overdose on nature exposure. Our bodies are accustomed to being in constant contact with a diverse environment – this kind of nature exposure is often not possible in our urbanized and hygienic lifestyle.
I've heard that microbes can be dangerous. How can I ensure that I am safely exposed to nature?
Pathogens can also be found in the soil, so it is important to ensure that, for example, your tetanus vaccination is up to date if you are handling soil. Wounds should also be protected so that microbes or material that do not belong there do not enter the body.
The Re-Connecting Nature® microbial extract used in consumer products is in an inactivated form, meaning the microbes it contains are not living. Despite this, they are still in a recognizable form for the immune system's receptors.
Source: Luonkos Finland Oy and Uute Scientific Ltd, uutescientific.com
