Original Source

THE (NOT-SO) GREAT OUTDOORS

AVERAGE BRIT SPENDS JUST 17 MINUTES A DAY OUTSIDE

·         Average Brit only spends 17 minutes max outdoors each day – getting to work and back  

·         With 1 in 10 spending just 4 minutes a day outside

·         70% confess to spending much more time outdoors as a child

·         42% say staying indoors so much makes them depressed

·         82% blame gyms for them not going outdoors

·         But a third would rather exercise at home if their gym closed down

·         And 1 in 10 would quit exercise altogether

BRITS love affair with the great outdoors seems to have fizzled out as the average person confesses to spending a mere 17 minutes a day in the (not-so) great outdoors.

That’s just 301 days (or under one year) in a lifetime spent outdoors – or a massive 25,249 days a lifetime spent indoors (that’s 69 years).

And those precious 17 minutes of fresh air are simply to get us to and from work.

The nationwide study of 3000 men and women by adventurous shower and bathing brand, Original Source, revealed that as a nation we spend the majority of our lives indoors, despite having some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces on our doorsteps.

A massive 82% of those questioned, blamed the surge of gymnasiums for the reduced time spent outdoors, with a third saying they’d prefer to exercise at home, if their gym were to shut down.

Shockingly, one in 10 said they would quit exercise altogether, if they were no longer able to go to the gym.

Other reasons cited for not spending time outside, included poor weather (44%), having a car and therefore no need to be outside (20%) and feeling unsafe (11%).

One in 10 blame not having a garden or outdoor area for their lack of time spent outside.

However, those surveyed admitted to feeling depressed (44%), claustrophobic (22%), bad tempered (23%), bored (52%) and tired (49%), the longer they spend indoors.

Those living in the country’s capital are least likely to spend time outdoors, with one in 10 Londoners spending just 10 minutes a day outside.

Those in the South West are most likely to take advantage of the lovely landscapes, with the average person spending an hour outside everyday.

And while we understand the benefits of being outside - feeling refreshed (65%), feeling happier (44%), clear headed (50%), energized (40%), full of life (21%) – we just don’t find the time to motivate ourselves.

Psychologist Donna Dawson, comments: “Getting outdoors is essential to our health and wellbeing – both physically and psychologically. The combination of fresh air and beautiful scenery uplifts our mood and makes us feel good. The more time spent indoors, the more likely we our to suffer with depression, anxiety and mood swings. It’s extremely worrying that as a nation, it’s not important to us any more.

“Exercising outdoors is actually better for us than exercising at a gym, but even a short walk to the shops or riding our bikes instead of taking the car is a certified way to improve your mood. There’s a reason we called it the ‘Great Outdoors’.”

Nigel Wolstenholme, Original Source spokesman, comments: “Life is for living and how can you have lived if you’ve spent 99% of your life indoors? Original Source encourages people to get outdoors and experience everything Great Britain has to offer. No one feels good being cooped up.”