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

During rainy days we spend a lot of time indoors. However, during these extremely hot days, we have also been spending most of our time indoors!

We spend a lot of time indoors, probably too much.
However we always walk to and from school every day, one dc often walks the dog with us and we do a range of outdoor sports. In the holidays and weekends I make a point of going 'out' even if it's just a short walk to the shop but more fresh air would be better! Also, it's way too hot to do very much outside just now!

I have to get out at least once every day, I don't feel right otherwise, just a bit trapped and irritable. DH and DC, however, could live indoors 99% of the time! I live for summer but in the winter I make a special effort to get out in the light for some time during the day in order to help me stay positive in the winter months.

We have a very lively jack Russell puppy so we have no choice but to get out and walk him as much as possible!
We are loving the warm weather and the excuse to eat outside and enjoy the summer evenings.

It very much depends on the time of year for us, and weather we're at school or work. On work days I'm inside the whole day. I only get 30 minutes for lunch, so not really time to go for a walk or anything. On summer days off we try to be out for at least half the day if nor more, even if that's poppung in and out of the garden in this hot weather.

In winter we spend a lot more time inside. I hate the cold and go to the park in short bursts to alleviate my guilt!

I have been accused of having an obsession with opening windows by teen dd. I love letting fresh air in. I spend more time indoors than I'd like but probably less than a lot of people. Having a dog helps.

I think its partly to do with the weather. You here the saying about keeping out of the sun from 11AM until 3PM, you can still go out, but you really need to keep slapping on the sunscreen, as children will take jackets, tops and cardi's off as its to hot. But you can take them swimming, or to an in door activity. I spend quite a bit of time inside, I san't walk very far, so need to rely on someone, but another reason I stop in is that my dad, was forever getting skin cancers on his face and head, and said to me to stop in, its not worth it. I know what he went through going to the docs then the hospital to get them taken out, so his warning is in my head, The kids love playing out in the snow make a snow man, the rain they will go out in wellies and raincoats and we can go finding puddles to jump in. Its been a glorious summer so far this year but you need to be careful. In winter when the kids go back to school its time for me to get my hobbies sorted. I knit I crochet, and do craft, and stop in where its warm, as I hate the cold, but the cold, makes life painful. So you find a balance and protect yourself and the children from the elements. On holiday abroad get the children to wear hats and Tee shirts with sleeves, and the sun cream There is a balance, me and children can go out in rain sleet and snow and out in the sun when well protected and plenty to drink. So for me its half and half I think.

I spend a lot of the working day indoors, desk bound. However on my non working days and the weekend I spend a lot of time outside with the DC. Sometimes in the garden at home or on walks but mainly going to parks, the local farm, playgrounds. I think it's about balance and making sure you get out of the house every day.

We try to use our garden as much a possible in the good weather. We eat all our meals out there and use the garden as an other room. We have lovely comfy garden furniture which makes its a pleasure

I'd guess over 90% TBF.
I hate the blazing sun and heat
Hate the blistering cold
Don't like rain
Or snow
Or people

But... With a child it's necessary to head to lay grounds and likes and woods and all manner of outside places. A picnic and a blanket and a shady spot..

F

I feel that daylight, and fresh air are essential for person and emotional wellbeing. I am lucky enough to have large windows in my home, and my loft bedroom has roof windows which means daylight and moonlight are visible. My tips for being outdoors are outdoor toys, trampoline, ride on toys and a swing and stay outside with your children, they love to see you watching them play, and love words of encouragement and praise for playing nice.

During the week outside of work and school we're in the house a lot but at weekends we try to get out and about and burn off some energy!

During school holidays we are outside most of the time but in a usual week we spend more time inside than I would like.

I work really long hours mon-thurs so being outside is tricky. On fine days me and my collegues go for a short walk if we can. On Fridays and at the weekend we try to go out at least once a day we have dogs and it really breaks up the day for everyone. So the kids are happy we find a play park.

My baby will only sleep being pushed over our bumpy patio so I spend most of my time outdoors lol! My fiancé and I (wedding in 3weeks!) have organised for 3 giant tipis in our local forest that's how much we love the outdoors 😀

I used to spend a minimum of 4h a day out of doors: 3 walking school runs, plus a dc who would only sleep in the buggy. I did a lot of walking!

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.

Woah. I'm not sure we can compete when there are tips like "open your windows to get the benefit of fresh air inside" in the OP!

I guess my top tip would be to open the curtains in the daytime to allow daylight in...

When working I am outside travelling to clients homes via public transport but am currently on mat leave and the hot weather is keeping me and the baby indoors. When it cools down we will spend more time in the park!

We spend a lot of time outside but are seeking shade in this weather as I have a 2 year old.

I always find that my son is happier outside and is able to entertain himself for longer periods of time.

We also spend a lot of time outside in the winter - my son loves jumping in puddles and mud. We will be staring at a forest school in September one morning a week and I can’t wait!

I walk alot everyday and prefer being outside on a day out with the children than being inside. That said we moved house in December and I am enjoying just being at home too.

We spend far much more time indoors than I would like, however we try to maximise our time outdoors by walking everywhere within 30 minute distance, regardless of the weather unless we're running late.

Outside of the holidays, DH & I get very little time outdoors. I do the school run by car, drop off the DC, work in an office all day, then do pick up, then come home and spend the evening indoors The only time I am outdoors if if I have to wait outside at school for them to finish an activity or walking to & from the car park. DH commutes to work, so is on the train or in the office, then home and indoors. Weekends are better, as we are running around to sports activities. Thankfully the DC get loads of sports and running around every day at school. I always send in wet weather gear so they are never stuck inside.
We are hoping to add a conservatory to add an extra family space, which we can use all year round. We moved here from abroad, so really miss the light, especially in winter.

I find it harder to get outside when the weather is too hot, like the heatwave at the moment, much prefer to be inside in the cool with all windows open and a bit of a through breeze.
With teenagers it is a bit of a chore to get them outside, so they probably do spend too much time indoors. I always make sure I open their blinds/curtains and the windows are wide open, so at least they get a bit of fresh air and daylight!

We are outside as much as possible. During this love,y weather I open our bifold door and my children can wander outside whenever they want. Love doing a picnic snack or lunch outside as it minimises mess too!