Our health is intimately connected to “dirt”. Soil Scientist William A. Albrect (1888 – 1974) believed that the chemistry of each of our bodies provides a picture of the soil in which the food we eat is grown. The importance of maintaining healthy soils so that our food is nutrient dense is of supreme importance.
But, there is another, not so obvious way in which soil can affect us. Soil is teeming with life – earthworms and centipedes, fungi and bacteria, and so much more. One type of bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae), is particularly fascinating.
M. vacae is especially abundant in soils rich in moist, organic matter. When we work in the soil, we breath it in. And we ingest it when we eat freshly harvested produce. M. vaccae then does something marvelous. It triggers the release of serotonin in our brains. Our mood improves; depression is allayed. Our immune system is strengthened; learning is boosted. All of these are areas where serotonin plays a role.
In addition to depression, low levels of serotonin have been associated with anxiety, aggression, bipolar disorder, irritable bowel, fibromyalgia, and more. Boosting our serotonin by exposing ourselves and our family to soil bacteria goes a long way in building health.
Children should be playing outdoors and getting dirty. Dr. Mary Ruebush, immunologist and author of Why Dirt is Good says “If your child isn’t coming in dirty every day, they’re not doing their job.” She considers playing in the dirt an important step in building their immune systems.
Gardening is one obvious way that we can get our M. vaccae fix. And gardening has so many other health benefits. It’s good exercise, provides fresh produce, helps establish healthy eating habits, and exposes us to Vitamin D from sunshine. It’s not the only way to get dirty, of course. You can also:
- Remove the sod from an area of your yard and keep dirt friendly toys like trucks, buckets, spoons, pots and pans available for play.
- Take nature walks. Collect stones and leaves, and pick wildflowers. Don’t worry about dirty hands.
- Have a scavenger hunt in the woods, or even in your backyard. List items to find that must be picked up off of the ground.
- When my son was little, one of his favorite activities was “digging a hole to China.”
- Explore the edges of a pond or creek.
- Go camping, especially tent camping, where you are pounding stakes into the soil, sitting on logs and running around the woods.
- If all else fails, just get outdoors.
What great ways has your family found to play in the dirt?
Be sure to also read Fit as a Mama Bear’s post Why I Let My Daughter Play in Dirt.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home says
What a great post, Susan! I never knew about this unique bacteria found in soil. It’s not hard with boys in the house to get dirty – LOL! Now I know how great it can be to do things like gardening together and composting. We also love to go camping. However, as much as dirt may be good for us, I don’t think I need anymore reasons from my boys as to why they don’t need a shower … LOL! Thanks again for such an informative post! Blessings, Kelly
Susan says
Hi Kelly! Yes, it sure explains why gardening is such a happy place for me, and why playing in the dirt is such a happy place for your boys!
Angela Tucket says
This is awesome! I am in the process of planting my first garden and have felt amazing each day after I have worked to prepare it. This explains it!
Thanks for sharing this information.
Susan says
I’m so glad that you are starting a garden and already reaping the benefits!
Justyn @ Creative Christian Mama says
I love this post! I always feel so wonderful when I’ve been regularly gardening and I knew the fresh air and sunshine were part of it, but I didn’t know the dirty itself was a part, too!! Thanks so much for this fascinating post. 🙂
Susan says
Thanks, Justyn!
David says
Nice sentiment, but I was once a child like him playing in the dirt with similar toys, but ended up in the hospital in an oxygen tent for 6 months because I got valley fever. How did I get it? From the dirt. Did that stop me from playing in the dirt when I got well? No.
Susan says
Did you live in a dry region, David? M. vacae is especially abundant in soils rich in moist, organic matter.
Heather@Mommypotamus says
I loved this post! When my first was just discovering the world around her I bought a big pot of soil from our local organic supplier. It had all kinds of good stuff for her to dig around in and taste. 🙂
Back then we knew we wanted to move so I kept a patio garden rather than doing something intensive in the yard. This fall will be my first season to get dirty and plant – so excited!
Susan says
Hi Heather! I heard you bought land; so excited for you!!!
Cassidy says
Love this post! My toddlers come in every day nearly unrecognizable. They play in the dirt and sand alllllll the time out on our homestead. I am definitely a happy person when I’m out with them, gardening or taking a nature walk. 🙂
Susan says
Nothing like a dirty toddler to make you smile!!!
Linda says
My grandmother used to say “you have to eat a peck of dirt before you die”. And I have heard about breathing in the microbes. Great post. Would love to have you link this to What to do Weekends Party also. Following on Facebook and Pinterest, too. Linda
http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/05/what-to-do-weekends-18.html
Susan says
Thanks for the invite, Linda! Happy to link up.
Linda says
Thanks, Susan, for adding to the party. I like the party to reflect all kinds of diverse knowledge and inspiration!! Love your blog! Linda
Susan says
Thanks, Linda!
Stephanie says
I totally agree with this post. I love that my kids play in the dirt. It seems to be a lost thought in today’s world of video games and then like, but I had so much fun as a child do that very thing…excellent post!
Susan says
Hi Stephanie! Yes, I think kids who don’t get out into nature are really missing something.
Lisa says
While this is good advice, please do NOT encourage people to pick wildflowers!!
The reason we don’t have any bluebells in our woods anymore here is because in the 60’s people picked them. It’s very irresponsible to write to pick wildflowers, many of them (such as bluebells) are now protected and it’s illegal to pick them.
Susan says
Yes, good advice to check before picking wildflowers!
Hannah says
Great post!! We get out most every day, gardenig, playing in the dirt… Please consider sharing your post with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday! Hope to see you there!
Susan says
I’ll be there!!!
Gabriela says
Hi Susan! Just found your blog from Holistic Squid’s linky. Aww so I love this post!!! I have this uncontrollable urge to run outside and start digging in the dirt now. I’ve always found gardening restoring to my soul… now I know why. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
Susan says
Glad you stopped by, Gabriela!!! I know exactly what you mean about gardening!
Annie Kate says
Well, that explains why I crave gardening so much! I’m stiff and tired and sickish until I hit my garden–and when I garden I need way less vitamin C than usual. 🙂
I love gardening with my kids, and we do it as much as possible, but they don’t seem to be quite as affected by it.
Susan says
We have a lot in common! I’ll bet the kids are happier, though, when they’ve been out playing in the dirt than playing inside. Of course, it’s not just the dirt that is wonderful about being outside!
Michelle @ Simplify, Live, Love says
Great post! My kids are always dirty. I knew it was good for them, but I never put together scientific benefits. 🙂 Found you from Wildcrafting Wednesday.
Susan says
Yay for dirty kids!!!
Audry says
I knew of a woman that had a daughter and she was always getting sick, turns out she was being raised in a sterile environment (mother strict about cleanliness) and their family doctor just shrugged his shoulders and said, “if you want her to get better, let her go play in the dirt”! She did it and her immune system became stronger.
Amazing what nature can do 🙂
Susan says
What a wise doctor she had!!!
Joanna @ Plus Other Good Stuff says
Thanks for the encouragement to let my kids get dirty! We have been living in seminary housing where we do not have control over the chemicals that get sprayed in the communal backyard, so I’ve been a little hesitant. But we are moving soon, and that will change. I’m so glad for the change in the weather that will enable us to be outside! My three year old loves dirt. 🙂
Susan says
I sure do understand your hesitation to let your children play where chemicals are being sprayed. So glad to hear that your situation will be improving, at least in terms of the dirt your little one will be playing in!
Trisha says
What a fascinating post! I love it and am so happy that you shared with us on Wellness Wednesdays. My kids are definitely doing their job now that it’s warmed up 🙂 Dirty little boys morning, noon, and night!
Susan says
Wonderful!
Jimj says
Very interesting as well as intriguing. Over the past few years I have radically changed my diet and have noticed dramatic shifts in moods and sense of well-being. At the same time I have been digging and composting and tossing the compost to aerate it regularly.
I guess now, that I am wondering how much of the improvement is attributable to diet and how much to getting dirty!
Susan says
I’m quite certain that it is “all of the above”!!!
Dave says
Fascinating article.
I often wonder if we are all too fanatical about cleanliness sometimes.
Everything must be 100% germ-free and sterile.
No chance of building up any immunities.
What was the old saying? “You’ve got to eat a peck of dirt before you die”
There might some truth in that after all, although I’m still not sure how much a ‘Peck’ is!
Susan says
Yes, I agree, Dave; sometimes there is such a thing as too clean.
Tom says
Do you have any sources?
Susan says
Hi Tom, a google search of Mycobacterium vaccae will result in more information.
Kendahl @ Our Nourishing Roots says
I have always done this, and I’m so glad! Plus, being outside is good for you on so many levels: fresh air, lowered stress, meditative walking. Love this 🙂
Susan says
Thanks, Kendahl! And I agree; being in nature is so good for us in so many ways.
Mary@Back to the Basics! says
I love playing in the dirt! When we were kids we never used hand sanitizers and we were never sick.
Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist! Hope to see you back tomorrow!
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/search/label/Tuesdays%20with%20a%20Twist
Suburban Farm Girl says
I had read a news article about this about a couple years ago and that was one of the reasons that I wanted to start gardening. My kids have ADHD, OCD, SPD, anxiety and my oldest has depression. I have fibromyalgia and a poor immune system. My youngest has never liked playing in the dirt, but he will garden with me. I was really surprised when I read that soil of all things could help the serotonin levels that my family desperately needs. Last year, did not go as planned (does it ever??? lol!!!). Our area suffered from drought and temperatures over 100 degrees for weeks at a time. This is very unusual for Ohio! So my kids did not get as much dirt exposure as I had hope. We are trying again this year! Thanks for the reminder of how important soil is to your health. You did a great job on the article.
Lynn
Susan says
Thank you so much, Lynn. Hope all goes well with your family this year and that gardening is a success!
Jenny says
Great thoughts! Thank you for linking up to the HomeAcre Hop! Look forward to what you have to share with us tomorrow: http://blackfoxhomestead.com/the-homeacre-hop/
Rachel R. says
I wonder if this is one of the reasons sickness is so much more rampant in the winter – because no one is out gardening and few children are playing in the dirt. (And I don’t know about anyone else’s, but my kids finally stop going barefoot, for just a little while, as it’s too cold for bare feet outside.)
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Rachel! It’s certainly possible that it’s a contributing factor!
Marianela says
Awesome post – thanks for sharing =) Letting kids play in the dirt teaches them to be more responsible, develops their creativity and enhances both their cognitive and motor skills. Mother Dirt knows best =)
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