New research reveals that most Brits only truly start to appreciate nature in their late 30s, with 36 emerging as the average age we start to love the great outdoors.
And the survey has revealed a definitive list of signs you are a GENUINE lover of the natural world, with having a daily walk (35 percent), appreciating the smell of freshly cut grass (29 percent) and going on walking holidays (25 percent) all featuring.
Being able to recognise birds by their sound (20 percent), loving trips to the garden centre (19 percent), preferring being outside to being on a screen (24 percent) and growing your own veg (20 percent) are other green flags – as are picking berries (19 percent) and marvelling at hilltop views.
The nationwide survey, by Chase Distillery found three quarters (74 percent) insist being in the great outdoors is good for their mental health, while 51 percent say a walk in the fresh air is the best exercise you can get.
Four in ten (45 percent) insist nature gives them the chance to take a deep breath and appreciate life, while almost a third (31 percent) are inspired by it.
So it’s no surprise that 71 percent agree, we learn to appreciate nature more the older we get.
Yet, according to the poll, the average Brit spends just 26 hours in nature a month.
Nine in ten (92 percent) wish they could spend more time outdoors, blaming a lack of time (53 percent), work pressures (43 percent) and living in a city (20 percent).
Yet one in ten (11 percent) of urbanites struggle to access nature, according to the study.
Two thirds (60 percent) agree that outdoor pursuits have become more popular in recent years, with 45 percent believing social media has made it trendy to get back to nature and spend more time outside.
Life being more stressful (49 percent), increased understanding about the environment (41 percent) and wanting to take a break from technology (39 percent) are the main reasons modern Brits are embracing nature.
Even if you live in a city, almost half (48 percent) say that you can still experience nature with 26 percent of those living in an urban area saying that they have introduced house plants into their home to bring the outside in.
22 percent of urban dwellers are growing herbs in window boxes, while 19 percent have opted to grow vegetables in their window boxes.
Hanging boxes (15 percent), creating a balcony garden (14 percent), having tall plants in the corners of the room (14 percent) and designing an internal living wall (nine percent) are also ways that city residents have brought nature into their homes.
SIGNS YOU ARE A TRUE NATURE LOVER, ACCORDING TO BRITS … HOW MANY CAN YOU TICK OFF?
1You go on a daily walk - 35%
2The sea makes you happy - 32%
3You appreciate the changing seasons - 31%
4You prefer the countryside to the city - 31%
5You love the smell of freshly cut grass - 29%
6You can’t tolerate fake flowers - 28%
7You deep breathe in the air on walks - 28%
8A forest trail excites you - 27%
9You go on walking holidays - 25%
10You stop to smell flowers and herbs when you’re outside - 25%
11You’re truly happiest when pottering in the garden - 25%
12You prioritise spending time outside over screens - 24%
13You marvel at the view from the tops of hills or mountains - 23%
14You love camping - 22%
15You recognise birds by their sounds - 20%
16Nothing makes you feel prouder than growing your own vegetables - 20%
17You have a bird bath or feeder - 20%
18You like to visit the gardens of stately homes - 20%
19You love going to the garden centre - 19%
20You pick berries when they’re in season - 19%
21You eat outside at any given opportunity - 18%
22The thought of not living near a green space worries you - 18%