Mumsnet users share with VELUX what think of the time they spend indoors and the "indoor generation"

[JustineBMumsnet]

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It’s no secret that spending time outside getting fresh air and daylight is beneficial for a variety of reasons. A new study by VELUX showed that people spend more time inside than they realise – often spending 90% of their time indoors, and they’d like to hear your thoughts on this.

Here’s what Grant Sneddon, Velux daylight expert has to say: “Whether we’re at home, in work or school or even commuting, we spend most of our time inside poorly lit and ventilated spaces. Why is this interesting? Well, if we’re spending most of our time indoors then it means we’re not getting enough fresh air and daylight, which can affect our sleep, mood and productivity. But there are simple ways to get the health benefits of natural daylight and fresh air in the home such as opening your windows three to four times a day to allow fresh air in."

How much time do you think you spend indoors? What do you think of the claims that we’ve become an indoor generation? Do you have tips for ensuring your family gets the benefits of daylight and fresh air while you’re spending time indoors?

All who post sharing their thoughts or tips below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

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Depends on the weather but definitely more time in the winter. I keep dragging them off their tablets to play games, jigsaws, crafting, books so they don't turn in to complete zombies!

It’s probably only weekends we get out a lot. Weekdays are so busy with work, gym, meal prep

probably more than I'd like, especially when it's either raining or too hot to be outside.

Too much! Whilst I love being outdoors, and am very lucky to have a large park on the doorstep and the sea/river a short way drive away, I don't cope well in heatwaves so the last couple of months I've been hiding indoors far more than I normally would in summer!
Our family loves camping , so at least we're outdoor 24/7 then...

I am SO looking forward to autumn so I can actually move outside without melting!

Normally in the Summer Months/Holidays we spend a lot of time outdoors but with the recent weather we've been having have found it difficult to be outside for prolonged periods. It's even been difficult to take the dogs for their walk. Yeah so recently we have been spending way too much time indoors

I don't think I'm outdoors enough. On work days I do 12 hour shifts, so with commuting time as well I don't get outdoors. I like to walk the school run and like to have walks in the nearby country side where the children can have good exercise as well.

I work all week in an office so come the weekend I am very aware that my family need some fresh air. We often explore the local country parks and take a picnic to make a day of it

A lot. My children are older now and due to a disability, I can't walk much.

We love to spend time out of doors - in theory. In reality, my working/commuting hours mean that spending a decent time out of doors isn't always a practical option - especially in the shorter winter D levels though!

We grab any opportunity to be outdoors when the weather is nice, knowing that when Winter comes, we will be indoors for what feels like months. We hate Winter and not being able to relax in the sun

Depressing when you actually think about how much time is spent indoors - probably 3/4 of waking hours

Probably too much time indoors but this summer have eaten outside almost everyday

When at work a lot but we try and be out and about as much as weather permits.

We go in phases. I like to make sure everyone in there family steps outside the house at least for 10 mins each day- even if it’s just to walk to the postbox.
Something about “it being good to get fresh air” everyday, though I have no idea why

Then equally some weeks we’ll be out running up and down hills and picnic ing and playing on beaches and never be at home!

We spend far too much time indoors

I'm aware of the tendency to spend too much time indoors so we try to counteract this by going somewhere each day, regardless of the weather, even if it is just a short walk in nearby fields. This makes everyone feel much better for the fresh air and relaxation.

more than I should, I'm recovering from a period of ill health and need to regain my fitness but finr going out a bit daunting. Must do better

I am conscious of spending too much time indoors. However we love walking the dog together and he gets 3 walks a day. If we have spent the morning on doors we try to take a snack outside and sit in the garden for a while.

I hate having a hot bedroom so we always have the windows open at night and if we are around all day we leave them open.

Far too much but the back garden is shady after school therefore can be chilly

Quite a but of time at the moment because with a newborn and a toddler it is hard to spend long time out and about

Tbh I'm rather glad it's started raining as we have spent so much time outdoors this years I need to catch up on the housework! But we are fair-weather wanderers who like to be indoors in bad weather.

We love walking but are not great ones for sitting outside. The children love to play out but truth be told I prefer to be inside, the conservatory gives us the light with the shelter and privacy.

We spend a lot more than we like. Though weather permitting I take the dog out twice a day and in the holidays try to get out with my daughter at least twice a week.

We love being outside, walking, cycling, and playing tennis regularly at our local park. We really enjoy spotting nature and walks by the sea. However, due to the unpredictable UK weather we took the decision to build an extension on the back of our house. Our extension has bifold doors and velux windows in a pitched roof. The room is stunning giving an outside-inside feel to it. We have also fitted LED lights around our Velux windows to provide a party effect when we want it, but to provide a backdrop of looking at the stars from our sofa.

I'm quite fond of long walks, so even in the rain as long as possible I get outdoors to walk any park in London. Try to spend out as much as possible.