Karin WilliamsHammocks are an excellent way to relax and enjoy the outdoors, but you may be tempted to lay on your back in the hammock instead of flat. While this is possible, it will not provide the same comfort as laying flat. The hammock can then put pressure on your spine and make you feel like you’re sinking in the middle.
This position could also cause dizziness because blood flow to your brain will decrease. To lay flat is the main secret to experience the highest level of comfort when you sleep in a hammock. It is important not to make the painful mistake of laying lengthwise if you don’t want to end up as a human banana which marks the beginning of back pain.
Stop This Mistake
During the set up of a hammock, the very first mistake that most people commit is hanging it up too tight. This stems from the logic that when you hang your hammock tighter, it will be flatter and resemble your bed more. However, this logic is not applicable in practice. Instead, what happens every time you get into your tight hammock includes the following:
- The body of your weight will be pulling the hammock much tighter, with the sides cocooning around you.
- Both sides are going to rise on top of your head and turn into large claustrophobic walls.
- The hammock’s extra tension will increase the risks of damage to the trees and to your hammock as well.
- The walls are going to pull on both of your sides, forcing you to stay still with the hammock squeezing your shoulders.
What Should You Do, Then?
Try resisting the urge of keeping your hammock taut and instead, loosen it up. Make sure your hammock has a good amount of slack for working with. Get the best out of the loose material for stretching out and use the hammock’s full width. Through lying at an angle, it will be possible to get a flat lay even if your hammock seems like a loose and curvy sling.
Fun Outdoor Quiz
How to Keep Hammock from Flipping
The hammock is one of the most pleasant ways to spend the day outside. It will make you feel like you are floating on top of the world. The hammock is also good for your physical and mental health, but there are times when the hammock might not be as enjoyable as it should be. When this happens, do not give up on it! There are some simple adjustments that can be made to ensure that the hammock will work properly for you.
Your hammock must be set up with lots of slack. It is imperative that you lie at a certain angle to be comfortable. What you do here is to shift your body from the hammock’s midline 30 degrees for you to lay at a diagonal. You will notice here that the tightest part of the hammock is its center, with the sides remaining lose. Through adjusting your body’s angle, you will cut across the hammock’s curve. The hammock is going to flatten out under you, and provide you a flat lay with no pressure points. Both your feet and neck will sustain a bit of elevation with your hammock conforming to your back.
As you lay at an angle, you will not be restricted to sleeping solely on your back. In fact, you can easily move around in various positions. You should try to find the one that gives you the most comfort. Since it is almost impossible to flip in a hammock with great design, you can feel free to turn and toss as you like.
Can You Sleep on Your Side in A Hammock?
There is a common myth that it is impossible to sleep on your side in a hammock. Many people think this because they sleep on their backs or stomachs usually, and lying sideways feels different. However, if you find the right position you can easily sleep on your side in a hammock. If you place the hammock at an angle, with one end higher than the other, then you can easily shift to one side or the other during the night.
Why Is My Hammock Tight in The Middle?
Hammocks are often tight in the middle due to knots, warped wood, and improper installation. A hammock that is too tight in the middle may be uncomfortable to lie in because it will pinch your back. It can also cause fatigue because it restricts blood flow to your legs. There are a few simple methods for fixing this problem.
- You can loosen or tighten the ropes that hold up the hammock by adding or removing loops around the beam. This method works well if you have access to tools like pliers.
- If you don’t want to mess with tightening/loosening the rope, then you should consider using a strap instead of a rope. The straps come in different sizes and lengths so they fit most people perfectly. You just need to make sure that there isn’t any slack between the two ends when you tie them together.
- The last option would be to replace the entire suspension system altogether. I personally think that this is overkill but some people swear by it. If you are going for this route, you will probably need to buy new hardware as well.
Conclusion
Now that you already know the importance to lay flat, and how to achieve it, the next important thing to do is ensure that you keep yourself warm. Although hammocks are often associated with warm sunshine and tropical beaches, chilly nights are also common so make sure you are equipped for these conditions as well to make the most out of your hammock camping.
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