Step 7

How mud boosts your immune system. Children love getting dirty - they are drawn to puddles with no regard for the footwear or clothing. But getting mucky could have a powerful effect on their wellbeing, too. Many of the psychological benefits of outdoor play are already well established. Our brains evolved in natural landscapes and we are particularly well suited to wild outdoor spaces. This means that natural scenes provide the perfect level of simulations, which is thought to help recharge the brain when it is tired end easily distractible. In addition, outdoor play has its benefits as the child may find it easier to build strength and stamina in a large open space resulting in a reduced risk of obesity. (healthy body, healthy mind).

What is more, the concept of 'hygiene hypothesis', which involved children being exposed to germs, led to a huge reduction in childhood infections over the 20th century. However, this theory is now being questioned in favor of greater exposure to more traditional non-infectious organisms. These harmless and friendly microbes have been around for much of our evolutionary history and we encounter them regularly in nature. (old friends).

What is even more surprising is that bugs can even moderate the body's response to stress. Remarkably, people who spent the majority of their childhoods in a rural setting tend to show a more muted response to stressful events compared with those who had grown up in cities. This remained true even when the scientists controlled other factors, such as their socio-economic status. (anxiety reliever).

With a great emphasis being placed on early exposure to friendly bacteria, many scientists are investigating the benefits of interventions that encourage contact with nature in childhood. Gentle meditative walks through the woods have been shown to improve the symptoms of children and teenagers with dermatological issues. With future research, it will be possible to learn much more about how to improve the immune system for months or even year to come! (forest for health).

The word 'mucky' in the first paragraph is similar in meaning to: (filthy).

What can be understood about wild outdoor spaces in the second paragraph? (we take time to adapt to nature).

What do we understand about non-infectious organism in the third paragraph? (they tend to be innocuous).

What synonym can be used for the word 'remarkably' in the fourth paragraph? (surprisingly).

What benefit has been demonstrated with walking in nature? (it helps those who suffer from skin conditions).

What can we understand about this article? (nature should take a leading role in building the immune system).