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

[JustineBMumsnet]

NOW CLOSED

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

It's so lovely to be spending time outdoors this summer as the weather has been so lovely. So most evenings we have been outside

It's a fair summation, with such busy lives, it's easy to come home, stay home. A walk with the wee one helps break that cycle each day. Creating a functional space in the garden also helps.

This summer between the hayfever and the blistering heatwave, I've been indoors every possible second! We have a nice garden but we don't make the most of it to be honest. In the evenings we are slumped in front of the TV and on weekends we have jobs to do. Actually, thinking about it I may spend less than 10 hours a week outside...

Probably too much but I try and make sure that we get out at least once a day over the weekend and I encourage DS to play in the back garden most evenings.

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?

Unfortunately, we spend a great deal of time outdoors. I try and get the kids outdoors but its such a mission, they would rather be home! I have managed to get them outdoors this summer though by going to few new places. They always seem a lot keener when they help pack a picnic.

As much as the weather permits, we will spend time outside, it is important to get fresh air and exercise, we will go for a walk or a run, the DC's love it, no couch potatoes for us thank you!

I think having 3 kids under 5 I do go out when possible... It's easier!

It is really dependent on the weather. If it is dry, we really try and spend as much time outside as possible as a family.

I've been spending a lot of time indoors with the doors and windows open while it has been hot, I'm usually out of the house a lot working so when I can I like to stay in and put my feet up.

I like to think i have quite an equal balance. We are quite an outdoorsy family and spend alot of time walking, fishing and exploring the great outdoors. But on the other hand we like movie nights in, playing board games and cooking. It is hard to motivate yourself to get outdoors more so when the nights start to pull in.

In a busy working/school week we probably do indeed spend a lot of our time indoors and happy to relax inside when we get home but getting a dog has made sure we all do at least a walk every day and is probably the best things we did as a family.

I'm a good weather person so when the sun is out we are out all the time but when it's raining or in the winter I must say we are homey people and staying in baking and crafting instead.

At present we are spending all our home time in the garden as it is so hot!

It very much depends on the day. Sometimes we go out even in the rain with our wellies and raincoats on, sometimes it's too hot and we spend most of the day indoors. We do try to go outside regularly though

We have a dog so were always out exploring new places out doors finding new places to walk simba!

We have been outdoors while this beautiful weather has been having water fights, long walks and bike rides however in the winter we do tend to stay a lot indoors playing lots of games. however we do need to get ourselves out more in the winter, i just don't like the cold lol.

We definitely spend more time indoors than I would like. We have had to stay indoors during much of the heatwave as my baby is crawling, so to keep him out of the midday sun it's easier to be indoors. But we get out as much as possible!

were we live in the sticks and love the outdoors we go out most days in all weather for walks with the dogs we also have the added bonus of living 20mis away from the coast too so we vist that 1 or 2 times a week we even go there on christmas day after lunch

I am out of the house for about three hours in the day, then about one hour in the garden

We spend way too much time inside. I walk the dog to my Mum's and back every day, spending most of the day in her house, then the evening in my own.
DH only goes outside to get in his car!
The kids walk as far as bus stops for school/uni/work.
We do try to have a proper day out sometimes, but they are getting rarer as the kids get older.

At work all day so I'm only in on the evenings

I definitely spend too much time indoors during the working week but I try to catch up at the weekend spending time in the garden and encouraging our children to help plant/weed. Also huge fans of the park run scheme which gets us out no matter what the weather.

Over the 6 week holidays we've spent far too much time indoors! With one child in a wheelchair with many additional needs, a 4 year old who runs off and a 2 year old who needs to be kept on reigns I just cannot manage to get out with them on my own! I do try and make sure we open the windows but have to try and time in in between my neighbours smoking (which seems to have been constant this summer!) I do have a rule that everyone must spend at least 30 minutes outside (even in the rain) and ideally an hour :)

I live in a 18th century cottage with thick walls so it does get dark but I love to be in the light and fresh air. The upstairs is in a roof space conversion, with velux windows as it happens and it is lovely to be up there with the windows open and fresh air coming in.

As for tips, owning animals means I have to have fresh air everyday - going to feed and check on my chickens!

75% because I have an indoor full time job