A New Way of Resting: What You Need to Know About Sleeping in a Hammock Full Time

The history of hammocks as a versatile piece of furniture dates back a very long time, with its origins coming from native Americans but that doesn’t mean they’re unfashionable today! In fact, more and more people are finding out about the myriad of benefits that you can gain by switching from a bed to sleeping in a hammock full time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning on setting up your hammock inside your home, in your backyard or even out in the wilderness (though you may want to look into a hammock with mosquito net and rain fly for some extra protection if that is the case). One thing remains the same: there are strong benefits to ditching the mattress and moving to a hammock, but you need to be aware of the potential issues that can crop up as well.

Positive Benefits of Sleeping in a Hammock Full Time

• Do you have a bad back? Folks all around the world wake up every morning with a sore back, and for most of them, their stiff mattress is not doing them any favors. One of the strongest positive effects to gain from making the switch is that by taking your back off the flat mattress and moving it to a hammock, you’re relieving your back of almost all the stress and pressure being put on it as you sleep. Contrary to popular belief, your back is not supposed to be straight as you sleep. If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, it may be worth it to look into sleeping in a hammock full time to alleviate some or all of your pain.

• Have you ever wondered why babies are lulled into sleep by rocking? Well, it turns out it’s not just for infants. Research has shown that the rocking and sway produced by hammocks can aid in synchronizing your brain waves, helping you fall asleep both faster and deeper. This can be a huge benefit to those suffering from insomnia, ADHD or other issues that may make falling asleep a lot harder than it should be. Sleep experts and doctors associate deeper sleep with a strong sense of rest and renewal in the morning, and that is something that nobody would want to pass up.
• Another thing better sleep can get you? A more active, healthy mind. If you’re able to wake up every day feeling well-rested, your brain is going to be in a better position to learn and process new information, increase your concentration and make positive decisions. The positives of a good night’s rest just keep on coming, including a decreased sense of hunger and a healthier immune system. We’re not saying you can’t get a healthy night of sleep on a mattress, but if sleeping in a hammock full time is going to result in more nights on average of a full, deep sleep, why not make the switch?
• Tired of constantly moving in your sleep? Speaking from personal experience, as someone who tosses and turns throughout the night and often waking up to due to it, it is not any fun. Doctors, including those at the prestigious John Hopkins Medicine, agree that, as you age, you should start paying more and more attention to the position of your body as you sleep, as it can affect things like heartburn and acid reflux, snoring and more. By positioning your body in a comfortable position in a hammock, you won’t be moving around at night, and your body will definitely feel the effects in the morning.
• We all know that laundry is a necessary hassle. It is recommended that everyone change and wash their sheets at least once every two weeks, with some experts recommended every single week. That is a lot of laundry! By moving to hammocks, you can avoid the build-up that occurs on sheets, and though you should still keep your hammock clean, the process is not as intensive as washing an entire bed set. Dead skin and bacteria can build up on sheets fast, and that’s not something you want to be rolling around in every single night. Keeping a hammock clean is a lot easier than a bed, making it one of the other many benefits of sleeping in a hammock full time.

Any Negative Aspects of Hammock Sleeping?

Thankfully, not very many, and the ones that do exist pretty much come to down personal choice. For married folks or people in a relationship, the hammock life means you likely won’t be able to lie next to your partner every night. Most hammocks have a single adult capacity and a recommended weight capacity listed by the manufacturer. In order to maintain absolute safety and avoid serious injury, we urge you to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. There are, however, some hammocks specifically made for more than one individual to use, so if you and your partner are eager to make the change to a hammock lifestyle, you still have the option available to you. Being in a relationship shouldn’t be a barrier to sleeping in a hammock full time, as the benefits can be life-changing for many people.

Apart from that, the only other real negative is, to some people, public perception. Folks who sleep on hammocks instead of a mattress are often viewed as hippies, or as being outside the norm. Well, if sleeping on a mattress every night is having a strong negative impact on your daily life, who cares what those people think?! The reality is that everyone has to make the best decisions for themselves and their bodies, and waking up in pain every morning on a stiff or overly springy mattress just is not cutting it for all of us.

Closing Thoughts: Sleeping in a Hammock Full Time

According to our research, the benefits of making the move to a hammock far outweigh any potential cons. It’s not a necessary change for everyone, but there’s little doubt that it can have a strong positive impact on the lives of many individuals. There are a wide variety of hammocks available both in stores and online, and if you ever decide to go out for a camping trip all you’ll need is a hammock with mosquito net and rain fly to keep you protected. They’re a lightweight, versatile, comfortable piece of fabric furniture, and should be in consideration next time you’re looking for a new place to rest your head!