Fall leaves along a country road. Photo courtesy of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.Fall leaves along a country road. Photo courtesy of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Chatham

Survey shows adults stay inside despite knowing the health benefits of outdoors

As we get older, we spend less time outside.

An Ipsos Reid study done by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) showed that two thirds of adults don’t spend as much time outside as they did when they were younger.

The survey polled 2000 people from across Canada, including 700 from Ontario and showed what it has called a “growing disconnect” between Canadians and nature.

The survey also revealed that 87 per cent of people feel better - happier and healthier - when they spend time outdoors.

“Even though people recognize that there are definitive mental and physical health benefits to being outdoors, people just say that it’s easier to stay inside,” said Andrew Holland from the NCC.

According to Holland, survey respondents gave a variety of reasons for why they don’t spend a lot of time outdoors.

“Some people call them reasons, other people may call them excuses,” said Holland. Reasons included temperature, time constraints and, of course, insects.

“Get out and explore the fall colours,” said Holland. “Take advantage of the weather. We’re all guilty of overlooking the obvious beauty that is our area.”

The survey was conducted as part of the NCC’s Landmark Campaign, which is the largest charitable campaign for nature in Canadian history. The $750-million campaign will double the land and water conserved by NCC to more than 6 million acres, including 500 new land conservation projects across the country.

For the long weekend, Holland suggests taking advantage of the mild temperature and the time with family to explore your area by finding a new path to take or by visiting one of the conservation areas in your region.

"People would rather stay on the couch and stare at their phone," said Holland. "Get off the couch. Get out in nature."

The NCC hopes to make nature more accessible with their Landmark Campaign, to allow more opportunities for hiking and nature walks, bird watching and more. It has existed in Ontario since 1962 as a not-for-profit group. Their goal is to add 500 new conservation projects across Canada.

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