Are Hammocks Good for Your Back

Are Hammocks Good for Your Back or Not?

(Last Updated: August 21, 2018)

Are hammocks good for your back? Well, good or bad, a hammock is one sure way to swing your feet off the ground after hitting the trail hard. You swing, literary, and the feeling is out of this world. You will get a feeling that is akin to that of sleeping on a waterbed.

What is a hammock? A hammock is a type of bed that is slightly raised on both sides. It is made of rope or canvas to allow for a hanging effect. The ends are supported by cords tied to a tree or to wooden poles depending on the type of hammock that you choose. The network of a hammock is made by weaving different cloths and different textures of ropes until you have a weaved bed that can allow you to:

  • Sleep
  • Rest
  • Swing
  • Relax

With a hammock, you can enjoy relaxing in your backyard or at the campsite. This act of relaxing in a hammock is what we call hammocking.

In this post, I will not only review hammock for camping, but also other types of hammocks which can be used in your backyard as well.

Types of hammocks

Hammocks come in different sizes, weight and the purpose for which they are intended. Here, we will look at the various types available in the market, so that you can know which would be most appropriate for you. There are many benefits of sleeping in a hammock, but unless you get the right one, you may not enjoy them all.

Brazilian hammock

Brazilian hammock

Brazilian hammocks are thick, made to withstand the harsh cold weather conditions. The weaving of the hammock is done in such a way that warmth is retained in the hammock. Additionally, the thick weaving of the hammock prevents the penetration of cold air into the hammock. So, if you are wondering how to stay warm in a hammock, the Brazilian kind is probably the best hammock to go looking for when you are going camping in cold areas. Besides the warmth, this type of hammock is durable and comfortable due to the heavy weaving. Thus, for those asking the question; are hammocks good for your back, some are quite comfortable, like this one.

Mayan hammock

Mayan hammock

Mayan hammocks are lighter in weight and are actually hand-woven by craftsmen. The reason for their light weight is because they are woven with a cotton material. These kinds of hammocks are made in such a way that they allow your body to rest in a cocoon shape in comparison to the size of your body. Given the thin cotton and nylon, it is prudent that you keep the hammock clean and dry to avoid the formation of mold on your hammock. Sleeping in a hammock as this one is not as comfortable as using the Brazilian one, but it is also not too bad.

Nicaraguan hammock

Nicaraguan hammock

These hammocks are woven in double form with the softer version of the cotton material. The weaving is done in such a way that the layers have breathing spaces that provide the free circulation of air. These hammocks can serve both outdoors and indoors purposes.

Quilted fabric hammock

Quilted fabric hammock

This type of hammock is suitable for colder climates. It is so because a filler material is used between fabric layers. This material delivers extra warmth and softness to the hammock.

These hammocks are made with spreader bars, therefore making it easy to get in and out of the hammock. The hammock can be placed between two trees or you can purchase a special stand for the hammock.

Quilted fabric hammocks ofter come quite wide. They are perfect for kids and families since several people can fit in.

Rope hammock

Rope hammock

Rope hammocks are similar in design to quilted hammocks, but feature rope stitching between the spreader-bars. These are the classic hammocks that most people associate with island castaways lounging under palm trees. Spreader bars keep the lounge bed open for easy access, and the rope stitching offers both support and flexibility.

Rope hammocks are either cotton or polyester, and each has its advantages. Cotton rope hammocks are more flexible than polyester, but polyester styles are less susceptible to humidity, mildew, and mold. It’s a good idea to consider nylon if you live in a very humid climate.

Whether you sling your rope hammock between two trees, on a stand or between posts, it’s important to pre-measure your chosen spot. Most rope hammocks measure 13-feet, so your hanging source (posts or trees) should be from 13 to 17 feet apart. You can always get a hammock stand if such a spread isn’t available to you.

Though quilted and rope hammocks are similar in appearance, the large gaps in the weave of rope hammocks make them potentially dangerous for little ones, since there is a chance a hand or food could get stuck between the ropes.

Camping (or travel) hammock

 Camping hammock

These hammocks are ultralight and portable. They are usually made of thin nylon or parachute silk. This makes them extremely durable and easy to maintain. Most models of such hammocks include mosquito nets and storage pockets.

Even though camping hammocks are made for camping purposes, they can also be used in your backyard.

 

Today, there are many hammock forums where you can learn more about the various types of hammocks. Additionally, through the hammock forum, you also get to understand the factors that you need to consider when buying a hammock. This is where you get to exchange ideas and share experiences with other camping enthusiasts.

Health benefits of using a hammock

Research shows that the comfort of using a hammock is more than that of using the ordinary bed. A hammock allows you to dive into a deep state of sleep. You know that sufficient sleep is highly encouraged if you want to maintain a good state of health. Sleeping in a hammock instead of a bed has a soothing and a relaxing effect and this explains why one is able to fall asleep faster. As a result of the constant swing mode, sleeping in a hammock does not only alter the nature of sleep but it also brings with it peace and sobriety.

The ideal sleeping position that is recommended by most people is sleeping on the back. Are hammocks good for your back? They certainly are, especially because of their soothing and relaxing nature. The ideal position here is when the head is slightly high than the rest of the body and that is as you lie on the back. Now, if you compare a hammock to a bed, the two are very different.

Health benefits of using hammock

A hammock is to an extent restrictive when it comes to sleeping positions. On the other hand, a bed provides chances to sleep in all manners of uncomfortable positions. Having the head slightly raised allows the body to be well circulated with blood and oxygen, which is one other factor that induces sound sleep. The next time you are sleeping in a hammock you can sleep with the assurance that you will not have to keep tossing and turning all night long.

Did you know that there are medical hammocks? Indeed there are. They are made to be used by people with conditions like autism, arthritis and generally, they serve to reduce the stress levels in sick individuals. Research also shows that hammocks provide a good healing and therapy ground for babies who are born prematurely. So is sleeping in hammock good for you? You have the answer by now.

Have you ever thought why all medical practitioners recommend enough sleep? Well, worry not. With sufficient sleep the body re-energizes and thus allows one to wake up fresh and revitalized for the day’s activities. What better way is there to stress the health benefits of sleeping in a hammock if not by the fact that they allow you time to consolidate and revitalize. For what it is worth, the next thing that should be on your shopping list is a hammock.

Camping hammock

The only time that sleeping in a hammock is bad for the back is when either the hammock is of bad quality or, secondly, when you sleep in the wrong position other than that which is recommended for a hammock.

When we replace the bed with hammock, we might just be on the path of finding a permanent solution to the insomnia monster. With such benefits, why not settle for a hammock instead of a bed.

Cons of hammocks

What are the pros and cons of sleeping in a hammock? There are hammocks that support two people to sleep together. But as much as that is the case, hammocks are best when used by an individual at a time. That way, you do not have to worry about you or your spouse falling off from the side because the hammock cannot support the both of you. If two people are to use the same hammock, then they need to be cuddled together. Now, for someone who wants their space, this cuddling might really be trespassing one’s space. The joy of spending time in the hammock at the end of the day becomes diluted and one fails to derive fun from the same.

When two people sleep in a hammock, they cause an obvious distraction to one another. How, so? One may ask. For instance, if one needs to go out the other person will obviously get distracted both when the partner is getting in and out of the hammock.

One other disadvantage is that if you are in a place with no access to trees or poles, then it might be pretty hard to enjoy the comfort of a hammock. This is because a hammock is made in such a way that it needs to hang.

How to get in/out of a hammock

It is a picture of pure relaxation when one is lazily sleeping and relaxing in a hammock. But does one question how they got in and out of the hammock in the first place. All the same getting in and out of a hammock does not have to be that hard if you follow the following tips.

Let us start with how to get into a hammock:

  • Stand in such a way that your back is at the central position of the hammock.
  • Bend until you are at 45° angle and then carefully sit on the hammock at the center. You definitely need to allow the hammock to settle and balance up.
  • Carefully lift your legs and place them on the bottom upper part of the hammock.
  • You can then lie on your back and enjoy a sound sleep or read your book.

How to get out of a hammock:

  • Start by sitting in an upright position.
  • Carefully lift your legs and place them on the ground.
  • With effort and strength from the back create a balance that will allow you to stand after which you can carefully stand on your feet.

 

The good thing about a hammock is that you can use it at home as well as for camping. With the following hammock camping trip, even a beginner in camping will find it much easier than they thought.

Start by looking for camping zones that have strong trees that will support the hammock. When you think of the warmth and the comfort that comes with the benefits of sleeping in a hammock, then you will agree with me that it is more preferable than sleeping in a tent.

Hammock between trees

The use of hammock for camping increases opportunities and viable places that you can go to outdoors. Now the big question here is how to hang a hammock without trees? It is not everywhere that you will find two strong trees that are adjacent to one another and that can provide a good ground to hang your hammock.

In such a case you need to do the following:

  • Seek to get two strong wooden posts, cement, and some bolts.
  • Prepare a hole that is around two feet deep after which you pour some concrete into the hole, put one wooden post and cover up the hole.
  • Measure eight feet from where the original post is placed and prepare another hole with the same depth as the other one. Again pour concrete, place the other post in there and cover the hole.
  • Afterward, screw the bolts tightly on each post and there … you have a place to hang your hammock.

 

Hammocking is by far the most relaxing therapy that you need to get that sound and relaxing sleep that you have craved for a very long time. Sleeping in a hammock instead of bed is fun and enjoyable.

1 thought on “Are Hammocks Good for Your Back or Not?”

  1. Hammock always took part in my life. Since I was a kid, we always had at least one hammock in our backyard. Now we have two under the canopy.

    Hammock for me is a personal cocoon where you can be you. I spend more and more time in my hammock and fall in love with it more and more 🙂

    Reply

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