In the studies of Robinson, Cameron, and Jorgenson (2021), they researched the connection between time spent in nature and germaphobia with an online survey of around a thousand respondents. Their research reports people who spent a longer duration in nature reacted optimistically towards germs. From that, they extracted two conclusions… Germaphobes do not like to spend time in the natural environment. Or… Longer time in nature can decrease germophobic tendencies. So, the researchers came up with a new idea for treating germaphobia. They suggest staying in natural environments for longer hours which will allow them to contact diverse microbes. This helps them build a stronger immune system than the original. Once the immune system fights with a microbe, it (memory cells) remembers the resistance towards similar microbes and fights them if ever you’re contaminated with similar kinds of germs. Moreover, there are other mental health gains from spending time with nature like reduced anxiety and distress, increased social coherence with feelings of unity. Germaphobia can also develop from ignorance about germs, so gaining knowledge about how germs and immunity work can help you cope with it. In fact, it is so beneficial that even children’s education must include more information about microbes and their benefits for humans and the environment.