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

Come rain or shine we go for a family walk every Saturday. Invest in some good waterproofs and wellies for everyone and don't make a big deal if it rains. Also get the little ones interested in nature from a young age.

The warm weather is lovely as we are outdoors more, but when it got really hot that was too much to be outside.

I personally spend most of my time in doors as I’m a full time carer so don’t have time to get out much. The only time I get out is when I take my children to school or to the park etc

Quite a bit of time as I work full time!

I spend most of my time indoors, especially in the winter. I'd say I try to get out for at least an hour a day. If the weather is good I would be happy to stay out for longer.

Opening windows as often as possible is good to keep the air fresh. Even when it's freezing outside we do this.

I spend more time indoors in the weekday then weekends and it's all weather dependant

WE love being outside, the warm dry weather has been amazing as we have been out everyday. Mainly just home to sleep and naps!

I spend most of my time indoors

I spend 80% of my working day indoors and do get outside a few times plus have natural light coming through the windows.

If i am at home, i try and get out and walk the dog if i am doing nothing else and if its dry, i sit outside and try and be in the garden as much as i can. I love being outdoors when the weather is decent.

I always have open windows as i love fresh air through the house and its one of the first things i do when i wake up!

I work full time, but working in a nursery I spend a large amout of time in the garden with my littlies, rain or shine, our motto is there is no bad weather just bad clothing lol. Hubby and I ride motorbikes so spend most of our weekends camping and riding just for the fun of it, I also consider myself lucky to live on the edge of Dartmoor and enjoy walking and letterboxing so lots of outside time for us.

Im an indoors person and value the family time we can spend indoors, having nice meals together, watching a film, playing board games. This is especially cosy in the autumn and winter.

I think we do spend a lot of time indoors, due to various factors, the weather, tiredness, my son's reluctance to leave his games etc etc. I always try to make my house light and airy though, and have windows open as much as possible. I'm always opening my sons windows to let fresh air in as he tends to close it. I'd love to live in a house that was full of windows, or had more natural light though.

In summer, hardly any. In winter, far too much, but I do try to get out and about in the fresh air even if only for a bracing walk.

We do spend a lot of time indoors but always fill the tome with baking and activities and not to forget cooking, cleaning and the worst if it all washing and ironing!

I work full time so when I am off I love spending time going on long walks in the fresh air weather permitting and there is nothing more relaxing than pottering around in the garden

Really does depend on the weather. Even though we have raincoats & wellies etc it's easier just to stay indoors when the weather's bad. I would say probably not as much as 90% but close to it at 70% overall. Hmm sounds dreadful.

between 12-24 hours a day

There’s a family split - dh and dd1 do a lot of outdoor sport or walking, I potter around the garden most days (and do indoor sport ). But in the holidays we have to insist on a contract whereby dd2 leaves the house at least every other day, otherwise it would be PJs, reading and you tube or Netflix all day every day (and she needs the daylight as she is predisposed to a poor sleep cycle).

I should definitely get out more! I'm only a fair-weather gardener, just another chore, and I don't touch it in the winter, when I just want to hibernate, I hate the cold and rain. If it's dreary outside and I don't have to go out, then I don't!

We spent too much time indoors and are trying to get out a bit more.

When I'm in work I spend the majority of my time indoors, but when I'm off I get outside everyday!

I like the indoors and out. its nice going for family walks, but its also as nice to have a duvet day with the children on the sofa.

I probably spend too much time indoors. When the weather gets nice enough to spend lots of time in the garden my hayfever kicks in! But we do try to have lots of outdoor activities at the weekends as a family whatever the weather.

We spend as much time as possible outside, but unfortunately, household tasks have to be done, so that restricts it slightly!

We have been spending a lot of time indoors just recently but we love camping and being outside normally.