A new study has found the average amount of time UK adults spend outdoors each day, with one in five Brits rarely getting a full day outside – and it turns out your age makes a big difference
One in five Brits never have the chance to spend an entire day outdoors. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed 21% confessed they can only manage to spend a day or more outside a couple of times a year– with 5% stating they get this opportunity less than once in any 12-month period.
The main barriers to spending more time outdoors in nature were found to be having a lack of time to themselves, working in an office, and childcare commitments. However, a higher number of Gen Zers say they have simply lost interest in outdoor activities (11% versus 7% overall).
According to the research, certain factors influenced some generations more than others, as considerably more Millennials (21%) reported having their outdoor time affected by the duties of bringing up a family.
Obstacles like these mean the typical person remains indoors for most of the day, spending merely 84 minutes outside. Five percent even revealed they spend fewer than five minutes enjoying the outdoors in a 24-hour period.
Sabina Voysey, director general at The Camping and Caravanning Club, which commissioned the research, said: “Outdoor time is obviously important, but we also acknowledge how hard it can be to spend time in it due to everything else we have on our plates.
“This is one of the reasons we’re so passionate about the benefits of being able to properly switch off and reconnect with nature for longer periods. Which is why taking a holiday that has this built in makes it a great option to up your weekly, monthly, or yearly dose of the incredible outdoors.”
How does your age stack up against different generations when it comes to being in touch with nature? Find out with this interactive timeline.
Elements such as advancing a career, bringing up a family, and juggling a busy social calendar all play a part in time devoted to being surrounded by nature at different stages, but discover whether the obstacles you’ve encountered or are currently confronting match those of your contemporaries.
The most outdoors-loving group of 25-34-year-olds manage to spend an average of 104 minutes in the open air per day and the largest proportion of this demographic (11%) regularly do so for six hours or more.
Those aged between 45 and 54 only spend 73 minutes away from being confined indoors on a typical day. Time spent outdoors then begins to rise again gradually when adults reach the age of 55, reflecting a return to a more relaxed lifestyle and reduction of responsibilities. But 61% have ambitions to reverse this trend and actively make an effort to boost the time they spend in nature.
Plans to accomplish this goal include considering new outdoor locations they want to explore or walks to embark on, arranging more social activities that take place outside and establishing daily or weekly targets to achieve. One in 10 are also planning to take longer trips by going camping.
The research also revealed which life phases have the greatest impact on the time people have to connect with nature, with entering full-time employment at number one (48%) and starting a family coming in second place (18%).
Educational landmarks such as enrolling in university (11%) or progressing to secondary school (12%) were also cited.
When the 28% who believe their generation spends less time outdoors than the previous one were asked why this is, most blamed technology.
As heightened screen time (55%), more digital, indoor entertainment choices (47%), and an overall over-dependence on tech (48%) were responsible for this perception, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
It may be this failure to disconnect which has become a hallmark of modern life that has led some to enjoy fewer prolonged periods outdoors, to minimise the chance of becoming distracted when they venture back inside.
Apart from being able to dis Connect, key reasons for those who actively favour this option were discovering they can relax more, fully immerse themselves in nature, and explore new locations.
Sabina added: “It’s such a shame that we don’t get more opportunities as a nation to get outdoors and re-connect with nature. It’s understandable given the pace of life most people have, with multiple commitments on their time.
“But I think all can agree when you do find that motivation to disconnect and breathe in the fresh air, it can’t be beaten.”