Talking Dirty
I was raised with the same standards of hygiene as the rest of you, but I’m going to admit that I like to be a little dirty. Don’t get me wrong here: I change my panties and bathe and all that, but I don’t mind the presence of a few germs. Let me explain.
In recent decades, the Hygiene Hypothesis has sprung up, with research suggesting that children who grew up with plenty of germ exposure (by playing outdoors, growing up on a farm, attending daycare, etc) have a much lower chance of developing asthma, eczema and other diseases.
The fact is our immune systems are made to encounter germs and then build resistance to them. An overly sterile environment doesn’t give the body a chance to learn how to do its job. This works in much the same was as vaccines: they give us a small shot of the weakened disease cells so we can build resistance.
Now, I’m not suggesting we all play in the dirt, but I know we can live without anti-bacterial soap. Good hygiene is important, but a few more germs might make us all stronger.
Image: notsogoodphotography
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Should You Get A Flu Shot This Season?
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Perhaps only parents of young
Pbbbthhhhh!
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Behold, the tongue. Pent up
7 Tips to Beat Colds and Flu this Fall
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Cold season. Flu season. Spring
5 Natural Ways to Fight the Flu
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. The flu is already spreading
|
Bookmark |
1 Comment
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
You are absolutely right! Unfortunately, anyone with a toddler knows that the constant sickness and sniffles required to build immunity takes a lot of hard work and dedicated parenting. Even the best mother (and father) crave a sterile environment on occasion. Hyperbolic breathing chamber, here we come!
Welcome! The comment box is all yours to say what you like. Just make sure you use a real name, not a site or company, so you don't get sent to the spam bin. (That makes us sad.)