Finnish researchers study health benefits of nature contact

Researchers from the Finnish Environment Institute and other Finnish scientists are investigating the health benefits of direct contact with nature, such as touching grass, soil, or bark. Findings suggest that skin contact with natural elements leaves diverse, non-pathogenic microorganisms on the hands even after washing.

These beneficial microbes may help protect the skin by occupying space and preventing harmful bacteria from taking hold. Marja Roslund, a researcher leading the Vahvistu project, compares healthy skin to a democracy that resists the ‘dictatorship’ of disease. The project specifically examines how rewilding schoolyards—incorporating natural elements into preschool environments—affects children's microbial diversity and immune indicators, such as cytokines. While researchers note these observations support a link between biodiversity loss and immune system issues, they emphasize that a definitive causal connection is still being studied.