much to the bemusement of my mother as this meant yet another round of clothes washing that she had to do.
These days, some parents cringe at the thought of their little one getting dirty…not because of the washing they’ll have to do but more of a worry that the child will get very sick. So, in order to keep their child (and themselves) ‘safe’ from bacteria, germs and parasites, the family ends up living in a weird artificial world that they’ve created…hardly going outside, avoiding the sun at all costs, and scrubbing themselves clean every time they see a speck of dirt.
Okay, I’ll admit, this is an extreme example, but the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ seems to get stronger with every passing day. What is this hypothesis? Well, it holds that our living environments (office, home, car, etc) have become so clean and sterile that any exposure to some germs or parasites may actually harm us and put us at an increased risk of developing diseases such as diabetes.
Now, of course there’s validity in the age-old hygiene practice of washing your hands after you’ve been to the toilet. E-coli is a nasty bug and can affect even the healthiest person…regardless if he/she is dirty or not. Then again, there’s also a big difference between being hygienic and enjoying life versus being overly-concerned about germs and using napkins to open doors or push elevator buttons.
Sure, there are some people who suffer from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and feel the need to wash their hands as often as possible or never leave their ‘clean zone’. This is a serious mental condition that needs professional treatment and therapy.
Your immune system is like a child trying to walk. It needs to learn the hard way by taking a few knocks and slowly building itself up over time. If your immune system never experienced foreign microbes or germs and was suddenly exposed to the common cold…your results could be serious, even fatal.
With new germs and bugs, your body can become weak and yes, you’d probably get sick. However, your recovery will be much faster than before. By exposing your body to a variety of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms, you may be priming your immune system and natural protection against certain diseases. Besides if you supplement daily with a product like Total Balance, which contains the right amount of synergistic nutrients, your immune system should already be strong and healthy.
You don’t need to wear gloves and a sterilized face mask every day, nor do your children need to be covered in cotton-wool and bubble-wrap. Breathe in the air and enjoy the world…get out into nature and get some dirt on your face! There’s always a time to wash-up afterwards. Who knows, you may even enjoy it!
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