Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Most Americans spend time in nature at least once a month, but there is one big, common barrier to getting outside: the 9-to-5. 

A third of U.S. residents say their job and work obligations are stopping them from spending more time in nature, according to a new 

The survey polled 1,000 U.S. adults and found that more than a quarter of adults spend time outside doing things like hiking or visiting a park. Researchers excluded activities like organized sports from counting as time spent outside. Sixteen percent of people said they never spent time in nature.   

See the entire APM Research Lab survey

Respondents were also asked to provide an open-ended response to the question, "What is the single biggest thing that keeps you from spending more free time in nature?" 

Thirty-one percent of people cited work as their major barrier. That's not surprising for this country, where workers spend an average of 1,780 hours on the job annually, according to the 

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

. Canadian and Australian workers, by comparison, spent 1,695 and 1,676 hours on the clock each year, respectively. 

The next most common response for a barrier to spending time outside was that nothing stood in their way, followed by a disability or health issues making nature activities difficult or impossible. 

An MPR app for timely weather updates, events and how-to guides for your next outdoor adventure

Adults who spend the most time in nature were between ages 18 and 34 and had college degrees, the survey found. People living in western or north-central regions — which includes Minnesota — were also at the top of the list for time spent outside. 
Craig Helmstetter, the lab's managing partner, said people age 65 and older were twice as likely to say they never get outside, citing health and disability issues. 

Money matters, too, when it comes to getting outdoors. People with household incomes below $25,000 were much less likely to go outside than people from higher income brackets. 

African-American survey respondents were also 

 to spend time outside than white respondents. That aligns with the 

 racial disparities when it comes to outdoor recreation.  

For example, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources official said only 

 of state park visitors identified as people of color.

But the DNR hopes to change that. Its "I Can!" initiative aims to get new people engaging in outdoors for the first time. One option is a 

. Other classes range from paddling to mountain biking. 

Kids have much to gain by going outside

There are myriad health benefits that come from spending time outside, especially for kids, including reduced anxiety healthier Vitamin D levels and a greater desire to learn. 

Use the audio player above to hear Helmstetter's conversation with MPR News' Dan Kraker, plus information on water safety and the benefits of getting outside.

Lifestyle

Environmental News

Water

NewsPartners

Outside in MN

Shows

MPR News with Angela Davis

Dan Kraker

Author

Cody Nelson

Thirty-one percent of people cited work as their major barrier to spending time outside, according to the APM Research Lab's latest survey.

Americans want to spend time outdoors, but work stands in the way

Luke Taylor for MPR News 2014

Hiking to recording location at the Maroon Bells

Americans want to spend time outdoors, but work stands in the way

Go Deeper.

Like this?