If you are feeling cramped and as if you don’t get enough time outdoors, you are not the only one. Nearly three in ten U.S. adults do not spend time outdoors on a daily basis according to a new national survey released recently by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Additionally, when adults do get outdoor time, it is relatively short with nearly half (47 percent) spending 30 minutes or less in the fresh air. That finding is especially true among younger adults age 35 and under (56 percent) when compared to older populations. When asked what prevents adults from getting more time outdoors, the top barriers identified include work (35 percent), technology such as tablets and smartphones (20 percent), and watching TV (19 percent).
“Time outdoors is good for our health, happiness, and overall wellbeing yet these findings indicate adults are putting their priorities elsewhere,” says Barbara Tulipane, President and CEO of NRPA. “Community parks and recreation are ... the perfect place for people to reset their priorities and make outdoor time a regular part of their daily routine.” July is the national celebration of Park and Recreation Month and NRPA is calling all people to take action and set new trends when it comes to getting time outdoors. The theme for the month, “OUT is IN,” encourages individuals, families, friends and coworkers to change their outlook, get outdoors and get involved in the community. From picnicking in the park instead of sitting inside at a table to sending an email or even holding a meeting outside, July is the time to do something outside everyday that normally is done inside.
Adults that do get time outdoors identified activities they enjoy. This includes getting active through sports and exercise (54 percent), social activities such as spending time with family (54 percent), and experiencing nature (53 percent). Community parks and recreation provide the opportunity to engage in all of these activities on a regular basis and are where all people – adults and children alike – can connect with the outdoors, get active and get more deeply involved in the community at-large. Park and Recreation Month will be celebrated in local parks through a variety of initiatives, events and activities. A list of participating park and recreation locations can be found at www.NRPA.org/july.
In addition to visiting parks and recreation areas and getting outdoors, NRPA is launching a 31- day “OUT is IN” challenge for people to try to do one typical indoor activity outside everyday in July. People can capture their outside activity with a photo and post it on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #JulyOUTisIN. NRPA will award a daily prize at random to a Twitter or Instagram follower who posts a photo with the hashtag #JulyOUTisIN. 
For more about the survey, challenge and to find Park and Recreation Month events visit www.nrpa.org/july.
