By Medha Islam, Alliance Intern from Binghamton University ‘28
Did you know that spending time in nature can boost your gut health, mental clarity and immune system at the microscopic level? It’s a great antidote to modern life keeping us glued to our screens and away from the natural world our bodies evolved with.
New research highlights how exposure to the diverse microbes found in soil and natural environments can improve our health, especially by supporting the human microbiome, according to a recent feature on MPR.
“Soil has little microbes in it that kind of get, it sounds disgusting, but they get inside of us and the healthy microbes settle in our gut and a healthy microbiome is really important for our immune function,” explains executive director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro Colleen Foehrenbacher.
She adds, “There’s a connection between healthy microbiome in our gut and our cognitive function and even risk for dementia and generally, you know, overall health, things like also depression.”
Her words highlight how nature’s smallest organisms can play a massive role in everything from our immune strength to our mental clarity. This makes me excited to bring back good old-fashioned “playing outside”!
When we dig in the dirt, walk through the woods, or simply breathe in the fresh air of green spaces, we interact with millions of beneficial bacteria and fungi that our immune systems evolved alongside. This microbial diversity helps regulate inflammation, along with its other benefits.
Screens Are Out. Microbes Are In.
Foehrenbacher also emphasized the broader benefits of outdoor experiences, especially for children: “We say nature helps kids be healthier [physically fit], happier, smarter and better stewards of the environment.” Her insight reflects a growing body of research showing how early exposure to the outdoors fosters both physical and emotional development.
Modern life, with its emphasis on sanitized surfaces and screen time, often distances us from these essential microbial relationships. Children who grow up playing outside are shown to have lower rates of allergies and autoimmune disorders, while adults who engage regularly with the natural world report improved mood, reduced anxiety, and greater resilience to illness.
For the Alliance for Sustainability, this research reinforces our holistic view that environmental and human health are deeply interconnected. Advocating for green spaces, restoring ecosystems, and encouraging access to nature isn’t just about conserving biodiversity — it’s about promoting well-being at every level, from soil microbes to society.
Join us this season as we reconnect with the earth! Let’s get our hands dirty — for a healthier future together.