On average we spend 87% of our time in enclosed buildings and 6% of our time in enclosed vehicles. This equals 93% of our time. How do we know this?
Who Did The Study?
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored a study, National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS, of 9386 people all ages across 48 states.
Why They Did It
They were measuring the effect of indoor cigarette smoke as the key indoor pollutant.
When They Did It
This study was done in the 90s when people were still smoking inside buildings.
How They Did It
They measured human activity inside and outside by time and location.
NHAPS was conducted on a daily basis from late September 1992 through September 1994 by the University of Maryland’s Survey Research Center.
The Results
NHAPS respondents reported spending an average of
87% of their time in enclosed buildings.
6% of their time in enclosed vehicles.
These proportions are fairly constant across the various regions of the U.S. and Canada. Canadian Human Activity Pattern Survey (CHAPS) ( Leech et al., 1996).
93% Of Our Time Indoors = 7% Time Outdoors
To get to the average of 7% outdoors we must spent an average of
1.7 hours a day outside.
That’s a lot. Especially when we are tired or working.
How are We Doing?
What if we wanted to see how we are doing and started our own time spent indoors and outdoors activity logs?
What Would 10% Outside Look Like?
What if we wanted to increase our outdoor average to 10%?
That would mean an extra 5 hours a week outside.
Facebook Group: Ditch Inside for Outside Tribe
If you are on facebook please join the link here: Ditch Inside for Outside Tribe.
I hope see you in the new facebook group. Are you ready to take some steps to break habits that are keeping you inside? Let’s do this together.
Take a deep breath, and say it with me “Healthy Tree, Healthy Me”
Verla
This is the Columbia hoodie that my son, a millennial, he picked out and gave to me. I like it. It is lightweight, warm, and repels water. It is a nice length, as it slopes to the back it covers the bum. I wear it out walking and when I go out anywhere. It never wrinkles and always looks nice. The material is stretchy so It does not mess up my hair when I slip it on. It is on sale now through this link.
I do not go outside without the best hat of all – and I have done my research. This one has a draw string so won’t fly off your head. It scrunches up in my tiny back pack or purse (and keeps its shape). It is light and has mesh for air circulation – so no hot head. You need at least one.
I live to eat outside! I take any and all opportunities to dine in nature. I get confused over people who don’t like to dine in the great outdoors. The food and wine just tastes better, conversation is lighter, and I don’t feel claustrophobic. Hey, great idea for research and a post! I would love to host that post on my site too!
Love, not live…darn big fingers and little phone!
yes! We spend a ton of time outside. I am raising my kids to be in love with fresh air and outside time.
Now that the spring is here, there really is no excuse to be inside all of the time. Bring the laptop/tablet/book/whatever outside!
If only we can get outside more .
I think I may make a reccord of all our time outside, this is very interesting. I feel like we would hit more then that because some days we spend 2-3 hours outside but I do know we have also gone a week without going outside so it is difficult to say.
I always think about this, especially during the winter cold months. Thats why as soon as the weather warms I get out with the kids as much as possible to breathe the fresh air and get some vitamin D
That statistic is so sad. We need to be more with nature!
Thanks for this. This is eye-opening, humans have a need to be outside and none of us do it enough!
I live in Minnesota, and there are stretches of DAYS where I don’t leave the house in the winter. This is very interesting and a good reminder to get outside more.
OMG, 93% of our time is spent inside?! I mean, I can believe it, just didn’t think about it before. Time to enjoy some sunshine!
I have no excuse for not spending time outside as it’s always warm and sunny (most of the time!) where I live. But I agree with you that work obligations can really limit those opportunities. I’ll work on that! And, I love your hoodie!
Thi is so very true! The more I read your blog, the more I realize how much I am inside. I am trying to get myself and my kids out much more!
Wow, this is really sobering. I know I’m guilty of staying inside with my 13 month old often because it’s the easier thing to do because I know she won’t be in danger from bugs or something in the grass irritating her. These are hurdles I need to overcome to get her breathing better air and developing a love for the outdoors!
I always say I want us to get outside more, but whenever I look back on the week I have realized we usually don’t do it! It’s a major goal of mine to make this happen more.
I was just thinking this the other day. We spend so much time inside! We need to get out!