The typical Brit spends almost six hours a week outdoors to clear their mind, boost their mood - and get away from their partner, a study revealed.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 22 per cent aim to get away from screens and unwind from work by heading outside for an average of 49 minutes a day.
And one in four believe it’s the only chance they can get for some peace and quiet away from the hectic household.
The study was commissioned by NiQuitin which has partnered with the British Lung Foundation to encourage people to exercise their way to healthy lungs despite the growing challenges of the pandemic.
According to the survey two thirds of adults have changed the way they think about spending time outside for leisure in 2020.
But as the chance to spend some quality time out in the open - for whatever reason - becomes more precious during the pandemic, people appear to be considering how clean the air outside is.
49 per cent admitted being concerned about air pollution levels while a further 46 per cent want stricter clean air regulations.
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “For the 12 million people in the UK affected by a lung condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it can pose a real and immediate threat to their health and overall quality of life.”
“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthy, resilient lungs and now we must provide the information people need about air pollution, an otherwise invisible killer, to protect themselves and those around them.”
The study also found that despite a general sense of concern about air pollution, half of adults have ‘no idea’ what the levels are in their local area.
As a result, four in 10 adults would like more information about local air pollution levels and the inherent resulting risks.
Just under a tenth of respondents said it is difficult – or very difficult – to access what they consider to be clean air, from where they live.
But more than half also believe the Covid-19 pandemic has led them to do more to protect their lung health.
A quarter have stopped exercising near busy roads and four in 10 have cut back on their driving as a result, according to the OnePoll research.
Many smokers have also taken steps boost their lung health, with two thirds more motivated to cut down or quit as a result of the pandemic, according to the study.
Laure de Brauer, from Perrigo UK & Ireland, the creator of NiQuitin, said: “Lung health has been pushed front of mind by the pandemic and we are encouraged to see the rate of smokers acting on this awareness, feeling motivated to cut back on smoking or quit the habit altogether.
“Lockdown has also had a real impact on people’s appreciation for their health, and in particular lung health.
“We’re pleased to be partnering with the BLF to pursue a world with improved lung health.”
REASONS BRITS ARE GETTING OUTDOORS
- To stay fit and healthy
- To clear their mind
- To improve their mood
- To make them feel healthier
- For sports/exercise
- To energise them
- To get some peace and quiet
- To switch off from work
- To walk the dog
- To improve their step count
- Because they are bored at home
- To meet friends
- To make a distinction between work life and home life
- To get some time away from their family
- To get some time away from their partner
