Gen Z Increasingly Prefers Days Indoors, New Study Reveals
VANCOUVER, BC - A significant portion of Gen Z is content to spend days at a time without leaving home, according to a new study from Destination British columbia.The research indicates that two-thirds of british Columbia’s Gen Z population sometimes remain indoors for several days consecutively, a trend mirrored by over half of Millennials. Of the 2,000 participants surveyed, only 25 percent actively make an effort to go outside each day.
this growing preference for indoor life raises questions about the impact of digital media consumption and potential disconnection from nature on the well-being of younger generations. While factors like weather, lack of time, and a preference for solitude play a role, the study highlights a strong correlation between screen time and a desire to venture outdoors.Seventy percent of gen Z respondents reported that the content they consume influences their inclination to go outside, with a third believing nature is underrepresented in movies and series.
The study found that weather is a key deterrent,with a quarter of gen Z citing gray or unpleasant conditions as a reason to stay home. Beyond external factors, internal preferences also contribute; many simply prefer being in their own company. Though,researchers discovered a surprising motivator for outdoor activity: nature programming. Shows like David Attenborough‘s “Life on Earth” ranked highest in inspiring participants to spend time in nature.
Psychologist Pelin Kesebir,at the Center for Healthy Minds,emphasizes the formative power of media. “What we take in through art, media and culture forms us. When nature is barely visible in what we consume, it is a sign that we are losing contact with it,” she told The Telegraph. Numerous studies confirm the link between time spent in nature and increased well-being, with those who regularly go outside often reporting higher levels of happiness.
