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

If it's a work day, I am inside from 7:30am until 4:30pm, atleast :(
That is why I try to be outside as much as possible when I'm at home and on the weekends.

I didn't used to be a outdoor sort but became very outdoorsy around my mid-30s.
As a family we're very outdoorsy with lots of walking and cycling. We are National Trust members which helps and have a forest two roads away.
If I'm stressed a walk does wonders.
I think where you live helps - we're not rural but have lovely spaces nearby - a forest and a country park both within walking distance.

I'd normally encourage my DDs to get outside and play as much as possible, but during the recent heat wave I don't want to risk their health. Saying that, we had an after-teatime visit to a local park as it was much nicer to visit once it got a bit cooler. It's also worth seeking out shaded nature walks and take a picnic too.

School, nursery run by foot, this is 15 minutes up and down , DC use their scooters
I shop at our local fruit and veg market once a week, I walk for about 20 minuets to get there
Kids love playing in the garden in this weather, they have their own veg patch. DD loves reading in the garden too.

I’m lucky in that I can walk to work which gives me time outside. At work I’m mostly indoors but as I work in a school there are times in the day that I’m outside on playground duty or supervising the outdoor provision. At home I love eating, reading etc outside. My kids however are the opposite!

I think we all spend too much time indoors, partly because of the weather, partly because of laziness, and it's easier to sit in front of the television. However this wonderful summer we are experiencing, sun, warm air and long evenings mean I have invested in a outdoor garden set, we have been eating outdoors, sitting out in the evening, listening to birds singing, seeing bees buzzing and the odd butterfly. So my tip would be eat outdoors, get a bird bath to encourage birds to bathe - you can watch them frolick in the water, get as many outdoor toys as you can, and just soak up, breath in and feel better.

Now that I think of it, I also spend too much time indoors. As majority of my trips out to school/work/supermarket are taken by car, I think I’m sure 90% of my time is indoors!

Far too much time indoors. I work in an office all day and by the time I've cooked dinner etc at home, there is rarely time for getting outside during the week. I try to go for a walk at lunchtime and spend as much time as I can outside at the weekend - but it isn't always easy!

I'm super aware of my lack of outdoors time as I'm frequently test low for Vit D.

Our dogs are a great excuse to get outside every day, rain or shine.
I'm finding it too hot at the moment to be outside for much of the day, but windows and doors are wide open.

I think nowadays it's so easy just to stay indoors, even to the point of going by car everywhere. Now that we've a small baby we try to walk more and more to set a good example, but it does take some willpower! My tip for keeping the house cool is to make sure that both front and back windows are open, it seems to create a funnel of breeze through the house that way.

Some days I never leave my flat. Today I will be going to a business meeting in the evening, so some walking and quite a bit of bus ride. In this heat I have the windows open and the curtains closed. I agree I don't get much fresh air, but probably too much sunshine in summer.

Have to agree with this - we spend far too much time inside on devices (as a family) and glued to screens. Which is why, when we're out and about, it feels so much healthier.

We aim to get out and about as much as possible. Prefer children to be playing outside than inside. Back door left open so they can enter / exit as they wish (within reason).

Windows open as much as possible.

We spend loads of summer spring and autumn outside. Our patio doors are constantly open to encourage the kids outside and we eat outside a lot. We do loads of outdoor activities too, like walking, holidays at the beach, etc.
In the winter it’s just too cold and dark, so unless it’s the weekend, snowy or amazing weather then we are inside.

My kids are like labradors. Need running daily.

Every day windows are open, even in winter, just for a bit to get fresh air through.

In this heat we've tended to go for morning outings and stayed in/in the garden in the afternoons.

I’m mostly indoors, but I’m lucky enough to be able to walk part of the way home along a river, which I do find nice to decompress at the end of the work day.

Honestly? About 20-22 hours a day as they don't really enjoy walking for longer than 4 hours. All other activities seem to be in doors bar walking.

Having MS has really affected my ability to walk, plus last year I left an office job to exclusively work from home. So really, some days I'll just stick my head outside to get the milk (we have a local dairy that still delivers!!) and stay inside for 24 hours.
If I'm feeling up to it, sometimes I'll go for a gentle walk round the block, but that's not often.

It depends on the weather but generally speaking we're not out as much as we should be but keep windows and doors open to keep the air flowing

In this heat we've been indoors a lot more than usual I just don't much like it!!

Probably inside more than we'd like to think. Much worse in winter, but imagine that's true for most people.

I do think we spend too much time indoors, as it is exhausting with a baby and 4yr old to find something to keep everyone happy.
We make an effort to get out at least once a day, even if it is just a walk in the local area.
I think it is easier for families to stay in due to all the toys and tech we have, we also have a large garden and large outdoor play items.
Often, there is a large cost for families to be out all day, and I think this affects peoples activities outside the home. Even just the cost of parking or transport can put people off going to some places.

our family loves being outdoors ive brought them up the same as me to embrace nature, by going to the beach and hunting for shells and sea glass, or going to a woods or nature reserve and finding different birds and insects.During winter they go a bit stir crazy as they much prefer the great outdoors.

We have windows open all day and I insist the children open their curtains on waking and let in some sunshine. We get some sunshine daily through walking the dog. I also encourage outdoor play - trampoline etc.

I also recommend an indoor sunbathing session - lie on top of your bed in a shaft of warm sunshine. So relaxing!

I worry about how much time my kids now spend indoors (11 and 14yrs). They usually have to be dragged out kicking and screaming unless it's to an indoor shopping mall or trampoline park

I can stand being indoors when I'm at home. I have to be up and out as often as possible...probably time to get a dog