11: Exposure to Bacteria from Nature May Benefit Children's Gut Microbiota and Behavior
As a nature-based therapist, you’ve probably already seen the effects of nature programming in your patients: improved motor skills, lower stress levels, and even greater self-confidence. But what about the invisible benefits? Can nature-based therapy improve a child’s internal, physical health?
In this episode, we’re diving into a groundbreaking study on the impact of nature exposure on a child’s gut microbiota. You’ll learn how the gut microbiome affects a child’s physical, cognitive, and behavioral health. You’ll also hear how it can significantly improve a child’s stress levels. Plus, you’ll get to hear how these findings affect your practice and patients.
We’ll discuss:
- How your gut microbiome affects a child’s physical, behavioral, and cognitive health
- The relationship between your gut microbiome and serotonin levels
- How this study impacted the subjects’ connection to nature and stress levels
- Whether or not weekly programming is enough to impact children’s outcomes
- Why you should treat children holistically and consider internal and physical health when addressing behavioral health
- How to access resources to help you in your own nature-based practice or business
Resources from this episode:
Read the study mentioned in today’s episode
The Connection to Nature Index for Preschool Children
If you're ready to take the next step in this adventure, join our free Therapy in the Great Outdoors Community at therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com. The TGO community is a private space just for nature based pediatric practitioners. We have loads of resources there to support you as you start or grow a nature based practice or program.
If you’re serious about taking your nature-based practice to the next level, come join the Business Bedrocks Group Coaching Program in The Business Hive. You'll get clarity & confidence to grow a profitable and personally fulfilling business that runs on auto-pilot as much as possible.
Are you a pediatric therapist interested in taking your work with children out into nature? The ConTiGO Approach Online Course will open for registration soon: visit www.ConTiGOapproach.com to join the waitlist.
