Surprise, surprise! A new study reveals that city residents spend more time outdoors than those in rural areas. Who would have thought? A survey of 2,000 adults found that people living in cities enjoy an average of one hour and 17 minutes outside each day, which is over 10 minutes more than folks in suburban areas.
But here’s the catch – more than half of city dwellers confessed that most of this time outdoors is spent commuting rather than reconnecting with nature. Feeling a bit guilty for not soaking up enough greenery? You’re not alone. A whopping 44% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials say they feel less connected to nature compared to older generations.
It seems under 18s only manage to spend about 58 minutes outside daily, and parents believe they used to be outside far more in their youth. Increased screen time, safety worries, and our beloved British weather are thought to be the main culprits.
This eye-opening research was commissioned by Super, Natural British Columbia, who have launched ‘The Nature Rating’, a fun digital tool to inspire you to bring a bit more nature into your everyday life. Whether it’s in books, TV, or music, getting your daily dose of nature could be more important than you think.
Social psychologist Dr Pelin Kesebir highlights that references to nature have been dropping since the 1950s in our media, reflecting a bigger disconnect. Seeing nature in pop culture, however, inspires nearly half of us to head outdoors! Shows like Countryfile, David Attenborough’s Life on Earth, and even The Great British Bake Off give us the nudge we need.
Yet, only a quarter of people make a point of stepping outside once a day. The biggest hindrance? Our unpredictable weather and not enough hours in the day. Maya Lange from Super, Natural British Columbia reminds us that, “The benefits of spending time in nature are well-known, but reality often gets in the way.”
So, why not take a step outside today? Nature awaits, and who knows, it might just become your new habit! 🌿☀️