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!

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

We have probably been spending a fair amount of time indoors too. We have been for lots of days out but it is so hot, by the time we get home the kids are exhausted and just flake out and want to watch TV/you tube. I do make sure we go out every day though or I feel cooped up and I don't sleep very well if I haven't had a good walk/some fresh air. We have a dog so it is a good excuse to get us all out.

If we are at home I like all the windows opened so I feel less confined.

The children spend at least a couple of hours outside most days in most weather conditions. I don't like weather extremes so tend to sit near the french doors a lot

Spend a large amount of my time indoors - I would say on average 2 hours a day outside

I was very much an indoor person, until 2 years ago. We moved house & I have become an avid gardener, growing fruit & vegetables

We spend a lot of time indoors because we have baby twins and it's hard to stay out for too long with them. Having said that, I hate the rented house I live in at the moment because the living room is boxed in on both sides by other rooms and we're a mid terrace so it's hard to get much light or air in here. It can become quite dingy and dark at times.

Honestly, probably not as much as we should do. Even in the most recent hot weather we seem to have spent a lot of time indoors. We have been doing one proper walk each week, but it seems a shame given we live in the countryside. I don't know what we waste our time doing really!

I'm lucky in that my job means that I spend a fair amount of time outside. Probably 60% of my day is outside and I do an 11 hour day at work. I love to run to when I have the energy, I try and run after work too. However, a lot of the time I end up slumped exhausted on the sofa!

All depends on the weather...
Rain = indoors
Sunshine = outdoors

Depends on the time of year, in Summer we are out in the garden more :)

We walk to school and back every day, and at weekends we often go for walks in local National Trust areas. The kids like playing in the garden a lot but personally I don't like the sun so I tend to stay in more when it is really hot but with all the windows open. Would much rather it be Autumn than Summer.

We spend most of the time indoors, its just been too hot to go out!

I don't like to be in much, that's where the arguments and boredom sets in, so i've made bought a full sided marque for the garden so we can play outdoors even if it's raining, their friends love it too. We also invent games so it keeps their minds active while having fun.

We have a garden room which we use most of the year. Hving heating out there for the colder months.Come rain or shine we love being outdoors

I am only really indoors in the evening apart from the days I work. I like to be out and about

We try to be out for a couple of hours each day, especially if looking after our grand-daughter

We try to do as much as possible outside when the weather is nice but not so much when it's wet

Probably more than I should. I try to go out for a walk every day and spend some time in the garden to make sure I get my vitamin D,but it's an effort.

We spend a lot of time indoors. I haven’t got a car so we only go outside when the weather is okay, so we’ve spent a lot of time outside in the summer. But the winter we are in a lot.

I'm a great hiker and take every opportunity to see the wonderful Sussex countryside. This summer has been spectacular - so few nettles!!!!

I spend quite a bit of time indoors but in the summer try to get some fresh air as much as possible

We actually spend more time outside in the winter than in the summer, as my children have disabilities and don't tolerate the heat as well. We do as much walking as possible and go to the park regularly. We've started the Jr Parkrun as well, so that's another outdoors activity (although temporarily suspended on our schedule until September due to the heat). When we're indoors at home, we generally have most of the windows open so there's a nice breeze blowing through the flat, and a lot of sunshine coming in through the front windows. We have a garden, but it's communal and we have one set of neighbours that freaks out if anyone makes any noise, so we go to the park instead.

We have made the garden like an extended part of the living room including an all weather patio so the kids and I spend alot of time outdoors

I spend too much time indoors as I work from home, and there are some days where the only outside time I get is going from the house to the car! It's obviously less like that in the summer holidays.

As much time outside as possible when the weather is good, not so much when it is winter unfortunately

We spend too much time indoors. A lot of the reasons for not going out could be solved by the right clothing, but it's quite expensive if you're going for the full on waterproof trousers, wicking tops and all the rest of it.