For many of us, life happens indoors.
We work indoors, relax indoors and often spend our free time in front of screens. While modern life has made things more convenient, it has also reduced the amount of time we spend outside.
Although not everyone can spend hours outdoors each day, making time for a little sunshine and fresh air may have a bigger impact on your health than you realise.
Here are five things that can happen when you rarely go outside.
You may find it harder to wake up
Natural light, particularly in the morning, helps regulate your body's circadian rhythm, also known as the sleep-wake cycle.
When you do not get enough exposure to daylight, your internal body clock can become disrupted, leaving you feeling tired, sluggish and less refreshed when you wake up.
You may experience more aches and pains
Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient that supports bone, muscle and immune health.
Spending too much time indoors can lead to lower vitamin D levels, which may contribute to muscle discomfort, joint pain and other health issues.
Your allergies could become worse
Seasonal allergies affect millions of people worldwide, and some researchers believe our increasingly indoor lifestyles may be partly to blame for the rise in allergy-related conditions.
Regular exposure to natural outdoor environments may help support a healthier immune response over time.
Your memory may suffer
As we age, it is normal for some cognitive functions, including memory, to decline.
However, spending time outdoors has been linked to better concentration, improved mental wellbeing and healthier brain function, all of which play a role in maintaining memory.
Your risk of obesity and chronic diseases may increase
People who spend most of their time indoors are often less physically active.
A sedentary lifestyle is associated with a higher risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Even simple activities such as walking, gardening or spending time at a local park can encourage movement and support long-term health.
Small changes can make a difference
You do not need to spend an entire day outdoors to enjoy the benefits.
Taking a short morning walk, having lunch outside or simply spending a few minutes in the sunshine can help support better sleep, improved mood and overall wellbeing.
Sometimes, stepping outside is one of the simplest things we can do for our health.