Nature heals – documentarian Petteri Saario in Teijolla
"Humans have evolved in constant interaction with nature. If we are not in nature, our immune system does not develop as it should. The microbes in nature are vital to us," lectured documentary filmmaker Petteri Saario. When the immune system is deficient, the result is an increase in the prevalence of serious diseases, allergies, diabetes and asthma. According to estimates, up to one fifth of the population in industrialized countries suffers from immune system disorders. The treatment of diseases costs over one hundred billion euros every year in the EU countries alone.
Award-winning nature documentary filmmaker Petteri Saario's lecture at the Teijon Sports Hall gathered a small but intense audience on a Monday evening in August. Saario is known for several nature documentaries over a period of over 30 years, most recently Hämärä luonto , Ankarista ankarin and Operaatio Norppa , produced for Yle in the last couple of years. Finnish nature is close to the documentarian's heart, and several series also tell about water elements, such as Veden saartama t and Järviemme pearl , which can still be found on Yle Areena. Of the older productions, Asvaltviviidakot is one that actually touches on today's topic, namely the health effects of nature - this time in the countryside.
According to many studies, we are no longer in the same contact with nature as before. When Finland became independent, less than 20% of Finns lived in an urban environment. Now the figure is already around 80%. At the same time, our time in nature has collapsed in a very short time. "Our living environment has changed – it is much brighter and noisier than before. The frequency of our hearing has changed, and our night vision has deteriorated due to light pollution," says Saario. In addition to hearing and vision, the territory has also shrunk, at least for children. Compared to a child in the 21st century, parents had ten times more room to move. This is comparable to that of grandparents, whose range of movement was 80 times greater. Children can no longer move as well in nature, which is reflected in children's motor skills, such as difficulty walking on uneven surfaces. Finnish children move much less than before, which predisposes them to being overweight and hyperactive. Some researchers are already talking about the car seat generation, i.e. those whose relationship with nature and outdoor activities is limited to looking out the car window.
In nature, a child’s ability to solve problems increases, as does self-confidence. Research on the adult population suggests the same. Spending time in nature has been studied to have an impact on work productivity, concentration and self-esteem. Saario’s basic idea is that nature is suitable for everyone – nature is equal. Nature does not look at age, titles or background. It also does not judge. “Nature exposure” has been found in several studies to lower blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension after just a few moments. Stress hormones and feelings of irritability are reduced. Exposure only needs to be for 20 minutes to notice the first benefits. The benefits can last for up to days. In Japan, the effect of health forests has been known for a long time, and “forest bathing” has been practiced there for a long time. Now, Finland has also introduced health nature trails, for example in Ikaaliani and Sipoonkorpi.
Nature is present in Teijo, and Saario praises the area and its national parks profusely. Saario also has personal connections to Teijo on his mother's side of the family. His mother, who was originally from the Perniön region, even named her son Teijo Petteri Saario after the charming region and ironworks village. Although Saario admits to having hiked a lot, he has not come across many destinations as diverse as Teijo. The health tips are also not difficult to implement in an environment like Teijo. The core idea is probably that you don't have to be a big wilderness enthusiast or nature enthusiast to enjoy nature. Just being close to nature radically reduces a person's immobility and inactivity. In addition to walking in nature, Saario encourages you to identify and eat wild berries, herbs and mushrooms, of which you only need to learn a few specific ones - they are a great way to start. Go outside at different times of the day, splash around in natural waters, roam the forest, touch pine cones and bark. Let the children touch twigs and eat familiar berries. The threshold doesn't have to be high.
Finally, Saario states that people who live close to nature are happier and healthier than people who live in urban environments. “I do think that we have some innate longing to be in nature. When people are asked what a beautiful landscape is, it is rarely a stone village landscape or a motorway. Yes, a beautiful landscape is a natural landscape.”
Teijo Nature School organized a public event open to everyone on Monday, August 17, 2026.
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