On average, people need to spend over an hour (67 minutes) outside each day to feel refreshed, according to a survey from Talker Research.
Their poll of 2,000 American adults revealed that over half of them (57%) are also craving time spent outdoors more now than ever before.
Data also shows that those who spend time outside say it relaxes them (68%), puts them in a better mood (66%), and helps them clear their head (64%).
At the same time, people feel that being forced to spend more time inside than they prefer can lead to feelings of depression (38%), anxiousness (33%), and loneliness (32%).
Six in 10 (58%) also get stir-crazy after spending too much time inside, with the average threshold of indoor time being 10.5 hours per day.
However, sometimes circumstances simply do not allow you to pick up your backpack and go outside.
Respondents report feeling disappointed (48%) when their outdoor plans change, as well as frustrated (32%) and annoyed (28%).
Findings reveal that two-thirds (67%) of Americans view travel as a form of self-care, and 4 in 10 (42%) said they need to book a trip to “escape” at least once every 6 months.
One-third of Americans (33%) regularly book vacations around outdoor activities they enjoy and are the most excited about, trips to the beach (44%), national park visits (29%), and cross-country driving (12%).
This is probably why more than half (57%) prefer driving to their vacation destination, compared to 25% who prefer flying.
According to Claire Wilcox, M.D., who is a general and addiction psychiatrist in private practice, an associate professor of translational neuroscience at the Mind Research Network, and an adjunct associate professor at the University of New Mexico, beyond exercise, science has shown that outdoor time might actually boost our mental capacities, which would help us make wiser decisions and change bad habits.
“Furthermore, because outdoor activities—like rock climbing, team sports, and even backpacking or hiking—often require us to work with, and rely on, other people, especially when challenges emerge, we build important relationship skills in the outdoors,” she says.
“Nature gives us the gift of much-needed separation from excessive technology, urban noise and clutter, and stressful work and home environments. And this gifts us with perspective,” Wilcox adds.
“For many of us, time outside can enhance our sense that there is something greater than ourselves beyond the day-to-day sensory experiences; we may leave the outdoors with a greater sense of purpose. Spirituality is a source of comfort for many people, and higher levels are associated with greater well-being.”
And if, for some reason, something isn’t entirely to your liking, you can always make and share a meme about it after you come back!
