Screens, schedules and convenience have fragmented how likely we are to head out into the great outdoors and spend time in nature.
We no longer need to get outside and ‘grow our own’ when we can order fresh veggies from the sofa. And a walk on a rainy day in winter when one of our favourite series has released a new season? Sometimes it's a tough choice!
But science is beginning to show that this disconnect is affecting our health in some unexpected ways...
It’s already well known that this disconnect from nature is impacting our mental health and wellbeing… multiple studies have now confirmed that spending time in nature can boost our mental health.
But new data is beginning to surface that shows a lack of time outdoors may also directly affect our gut health — and as a result — our immunity too.
Our gut plays a vital role in immunity and our mental health, so our connection to nature is a powerful relationship that is worth nurturing, or even rebuilding, if you feel like that connection has been lost.
Overall, it’s our diet that has the biggest influence on our gut health — but there are other lifestyle factors that can change our gut too…
Related Read | 10 Top Tips to Support Your Gut Health Naturally
Multiple studies now suggest that spending time outdoors can affect our gut health in a positive way — and even boost and protect our gut microbiome.
How spending time outdoors boosts our gut microbiome…
So how does a dip in the ocean, running our hands over the soft pine needles of a conifer, or walking barefoot in the grass benefit our gut?
Below we take a look at the 4 major gut health benefits of spending time outside and up close with nature…
A More Diverse Microbiome
Multiple studies have found that people surrounded by green spaces, or those living in rural locations, tend to have a much more diverse gut microbiome compared to those living in urban environments.
Another recent study in Finland found that planting and recreating a forest floor environment in a children’s play area boosted their skin microbiome, but also improved their immune function, which suggests these microbes may have become part of their gut microbiome too.
The simple reasoning behind this is that being exposed to more natural biomes — in the air, soil, hedges, trees etc. — can increase the microbial diversity of our gut flora.
Reduces the Impact of Stress
Our emotions can affect the ‘weather’ in our gut — particularly when our fight or flight response is activated.
When we’re anxious or stressed, the brain can ‘borrow’ energy away from our gut.
Escape from the situation that is making us anxious — whether that’s running away from a lion or dealing with a stressful situation at work! — takes priority over digestion.
This can cause inflammation, which can stop our gut from working as efficiently. But over time this can cause dysbiosis and even ‘leaky gut’ syndrome.
It’s now well known that time spent outdoors can lower our cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which in turn can help to protect our gut microbiome.
Related Read | The Gut-Brain Axis: The Gut Microbiome And Wellbeing
Outdoors = Exercise = Happy Gut!
Being outdoors usually goes hand in hand with movement!
Exercise may help to keep us regular (which keeps our digestive system running smoothly), but it also increases the amount of oxygen in our blood which can keep our gut working efficiently on all the crucial functions it performs for us.
Improved Immunity
With almost 80% of our immune system located in our gut, spending time outdoors has the potential to also boost our immunity.
When we're outdoors, we benefit from the movement, the cortisol reduction and diverse microbes that we're exposed to — but being outside can have another unexpected effect on our gut microbiome…
Plants give off chemicals known as phytoncides, an example is alpha-pinene, a phytoncide produced by conifers which gives them that familiar fresh and almost citrusy scent!
Plants produce these compounds naturally as a way to protect themselves, but we may also be reaping the benefits...
Some studies that looked at the potential immune-boosting benefits of 'Forest Bathing' suggest that phytoncides can increase the production of natural killer cells, which can fight infections and unusual cell mutations.
They may also have anti-inflammatory effects in our gut and may boost our beneficial bacteria too.
So a walk through a local forest, breathing in the fresh scent of pine needles can be a form of self-care that boosts not only your mood, but your gut health too!
