Recreation in Nature - How We Spent Summer 2024

Why did we spend time outdoors?

The main motivations reported for spending time in nature centred around well-being, with 60% of people spending time in nature for physical health and exercise, 59% to get fresh air, and 55% for mental health and well-being (See Figure 2.1, Table 2.1).

Females (36%) were more likely to report connecting with/enjoying nature or wildlife as a reason than males (27%). Females were also more likely to spend time in nature for mental health and well-being (57%) than males (52%).

People in the 30-39 and 40-49 age groups were most likely to report looking after children or other family members as a reason (25% and 23%) and were also most likely to report spending time in nature to get fresh air or to take a break. People in urban areas were more likely to report spending time in nature to meet other people at 16%, than those living in rural areas at 13% (See Table 2.1).

How did spending time outdoors make us feel?

Nearly 90% of people reported they felt happier after spending time in nature, with 82% reporting they felt less stressed and/or anxious. People felt more connected to their surroundings (78%) and other people (40%) after spending time in nature (See Figure 2.2, Table 2.2, Table 2.3, Table 2.4, Table 2.5).

People aged 40-49 were most likely to report they felt happier after spending time in nature (95%), while those aged 16-29 were least likely to agree (83%). People living in rural areas were more likely to report feeling happier after spending time in nature (93%) than those living in urban areas (87%) (See Table 2.2).

Spending time in nature had less of an effect on feelings of connectedness to other people. Those in the older age groups were more likely to report they felt more connected to other people after spending time in nature, with 53% of those in the over 70 age group reporting they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, and 42% of those aged 60-69 (See Table 2.3). 

While people generally felt more connected to their surroundings after spending time in nature, those living in rural areas were more likely to agree or strongly agree with the statement, with 81% of people living in rural areas compared with 76% of people living in urban areas (See Table 2.4).

When asked if they felt less stress/and or anxious after spending time in nature, those aged 30-39 and 40-49 were most likely to agree, at 88% and 89%, while the youngest and oldest age groups were least likely, at 74% and 76% respectively. Those living in the Northern and Western region were also more likely to agree (86%) than those living in the Southern (82%) or Eastern and Midland (79%) regions (See Table 2.5).