Many native cultures around the world have been sleeping in hammocks and variations of hammocks for centuries.
It is believed, by professionals, that the best sleep position is to sleep on your back with your head elevated by 10 to 30 percent.
Professionals and those who adhere to this way of sleeping believe that this position assists with easier breathing and the best blood circulation you can achieve throughout the night.
Pros of sleeping in a hammock it is believed that the best sleep position is to have the head elevated 10-30 percent while laying on your back. This is achievable in a hammock. Con if you do not sleep in the hammock correctly you will be uncomfortable and possibly have an aching body and feel unrested in the morning.
Pros and Cons of Sleeping in a Hammock
Pros of Sleeping in a Hammock
1. Let’s talk about the obvious health benefits.
Sleeping on your back in this slightly elevated position can relieve any number of problems some of us can suffer during the night.
Acid reflux is a big one. I suffered from this during both pregnancies and it is an extremely unpleasant condition to suffer from.
The only real relief is sitting up as much as possible. Hard in a bed when sleeping because you don’t want to fall out. A hammock will envelop you like a glove.
If you are in the correct sleeping position in the hammock pressure points are vastly relieved.
Some people report that after becoming accustomed to sleeping in a hammock their back pain is relieved.
2. Premature babies are undergoing baby therapy in medical hammocks. It just makes sense as we all know babies love to be rocked, it is their habitat for their first nine months of being after all.
3. Peacefulness, relaxation and stress relief.
It makes perfect sense that the rocking motion would provide you with a sense of calm and in turn release stress for most of us.
4. It is believed that you will reach sleep faster in a hammock.
5. Indoor sleeping hammocks are available not only the traditional ones that get slug between two trees. There are hammocks available that hang on stands for easy portability to move outside or inside your home.
6. If you have a small accommodation space a hammock on a stand takes up a lot less space than a bed. This is also useful if you have a small backyard, deck, balcony or patio.
If you make it into the great outdoors you can take your hammock on the stand so you do not even need to purchase a separate hammock for camping.
7. Practicalities of hammocks over beds.
Money saver no lugging beds from house to house – less money for movers or delivery fees from the store for a new bed.
No bed bugs or dust mites living in the mattress or box base. {Check out my article on Bed Bugs here… Argh!!}
Do not need to make the hammock the bedding gets hidden in the folds of the hammock when you exist. So it looks tidy and also saves you time on making the bed.
8. Let’s move onto using hammocks outdoors.
They are portable and when you learn to hand or erect your hammock correctly they are a very lightweight option for camping out. Especially if you are a hiker.
There are sleeping pads and wet weather gear you can use with your hammock for comfort these are also lightweight.
You do not have to worry about a camping site that has uneven ground. Pitching a tent can be very difficult in some terrains.
You will need to carry less camp gear because you can use your hammock as a camp chair as well as a sleeping space.
Hammock Vs Ground Sleeping – Video
Cons of Sleeping in a Hammock
1. Entering, exiting and balancing on a hammock. There is an art to it but you will master it.
2. Being suspended while trying to sleep can take some adjustment. Practice makes perfect.
3. Fear of falling out during the night. This fear is certainly a real one. Hammocks need to be set up correctly it is not a matter of just slinging one up between 2 trees. Or between 2 walls or poles if using a hammock inside your home.
There is a real science to it. {More information on setting up a hammock correctly can be found in my article here…}
For those new, to hammocks, there are many designs available. Including those that are designed to be non-flip.
4. You will need to do a certain amount of research to learn to sleep in a hammock correctly.
Once again click on the link above to my hammock article and you will find out a heap of information.
5. Unless you are both really into perfecting the art of sleeping in a hammock as a couple they are probably not good for the average couple to sleep in. But you can certainly have one each to reap all the benefits outlined above.
A couple can definitely relax, read a book, cuddle or just enjoy the beautiful outdoors together in a double hammock.
6. You will need to ensure that you are actually allowed to hand a hammock in the park you are in. Some parks do not want their trees damaged.
7. If you will be camping in cold weather you will need insulation between you and the hammock as the cold will come up from underneath the hammock. Pads and sleeping bags are available to help with the cold and drafts.
8. Providing you have permission to use a hammock in a park and the straps that attach your hammock to the trees are wide enough your footprint when camping is minimal. As opposed to pitching a tent at which time some unintentionally damage precious plants and undergrowth.
To Finish
As time goes on and the results of more sleep studies are revealed. I am certain that the health benefits and the pleasure that can be derived from sleeping in a hammock will have more and more of us giving this sleeping option a go.
Even if we do not sleep in a hammock full-time maybe a night or two a week or month could also provide benefits.
The relaxation, peacefulness and stress relief that can be gained from swaying in a hammock cannot be argued.
Why not get yourself a hammock read my article on how to use it. Then hang it around your home somewhere just to relax, read a book or take a nap.
You really do not have to sleep in one every night to derive some of the amazing benefits of swaying in a hammock.
As always here’s to better sleep!
Interesting Fact About Sleeping on Your Back
Did you know that sleeping on your back is known as the “Royal Position”?
High achievers, executives, and entrepreneurs are known for sleeping on their backs.
Couple this with the professionals recommended best sleeping position and this idea of sleeping in a hammock regularly could really catch on.
Related Questions
How Do You Sleep Comfortably in a Hammock?
The choice of the hammock is very important you do not want to use a woven rope hammock you will be very uncomfortable and you will wake up marks from the rope on your body.
You want a suitable parachute hammock which has a wonderful luxurious smooth feel. Leaving no marks or pressure points on your body throughout the night.
{I have an in-depth article all about setting up and sleeping in a hammock comfortably and soundly! Check it out here…}
Can You Sleep in a Hammock All the Time?
I would say that if you have perfected the art of sleeping in a hammock and are comfortable the answer is Yes Yes Yes!
You will know if sleeping in a hammock all the time is not working for you because you will not be reaping the benefits that come with sleeping in a hammock.
- getting to sleep faster
- deeper sleep which in turn leads to better over health, concentration and a clearer mind
- insomnia
- relaxation
Are Hammocks Bad to Sleep In?
Sleeping in a hammock long term is not going to be for everyone. You need to judge this for yourself. If you have purchased the correct hammock, hung it the right way and sleep on it correctly you will soon know if a hammock is bad for you to sleep in.
Can Sleeping in a Hammock Hurt Your Back?
The answer to this question is very much the same as the two answers above. It really comes back to you and your perseverance in getting this way of sleeping to work for you.
