Isaac Newton discovered gravitational force, this force is what necessitates human beings to sleep while lying down. Yes, you can fall asleep while standing or sitting, but your muscles strain to maintain the posture. This is why people use mats, beds or hammocks to sleep because they provide the best sleeping position.Â
I look at the benefits of sleeping in a hammock and why you would want to own one today.
Over the recent years, many health experts and sleep experts recommend a hammock for a nap or sometimes sleeping at night. It is why campers and trekkers are getting into the system of using hammocks on their nature trips. A trekker needs a good rest so that he/she can continue with the exploration hence a hammock is the best option.
Below are a few benefits of sleeping in a hammock;
- Deep/heavy sleep
A hammock is designed to help you achieve and sustain deep sleep. This is because a hammock aligns your body into a very comfortable position. A hammock keeps the spine aligned and the head elevated hence the pressure on your joints is reduced. When these conditions are achieved, the body will be comfortable and the muscles will also relax for the night.
To understand the above well, you should know what deep sleep means. Deep sleep is the last stage of sleeping where the muscles are stagnant and there is no eye movement.
Studies show most people do not achieve deep sleep due to poor sleeping conditions. Lack of deep sleep has some negative effects on the human body. For example, slow reflex actions, moodiness, and accumulation of toxins in the body.
- Best sleeping position
There are several factors that affect the sleeping cycle of a human being such as light, noise, and sleeping position. You can sleep on your back or on your side and sometimes on your stomach.
Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended because it does not align the spine and pressure is exerted on joints. Sleeping on your side is better because the spine is elongated and airways are open.Â
Sleeping on your back is the best because it keeps the neck and head neutral and the spine is well aligned. On a hammock, one can only sleep on the back hence the head stays elevated and the spine well aligned the whole night.
A hammock is cocoon-shaped, which makes it hard for you to change sleeping positions. In a hammock, your body is slightly banana-shaped, this position also keeps your breathing system open and less pressure on the bones.  Â
- Optimal air circulation
The body always radiates and loses heat to the environment. If you sleep on a cold bed or ground, the body will lose heat through conduction. A hammock keeps the body off the ground hence heat is not lost through conduction.
A hammock is made from a ventilated fabric that allows maximum air circulation throughout the night. This good air circulation helps with the digestive system, immune system, and cardiovascular health.
Other studies say that good air circulation while sleeping cleans the lungs and keeps the energy levels stable.
- Aids with insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder of not sleeping the whole night or you sleep for a few minutes.
Research shows that almost forty million people suffer from this condition. Sleeping in a hammock will help you to reduce the effects of insomnia. This is because the rocking motion helps you to fall asleep faster. It also provides a womb-like environment which seems safer than sleeping on a flat surface.
- Less vulnerable to bugs and dust mite
A hammock keeps you suspended in the air hence less access for the bugs and dust mites. A mattress accumulates bed bugs and dust mites which are unsanitary and costly to clean. You should note that a hammock does not eliminate pest problems, it only reduces.Â
Hammocks are still easy to clean and also take less time to do so compared to a mattress.
- Fall asleep quickly
Studies have been done and the conclusion drawn is that you will fall asleep more quickly on a hammock than on a mattress. This is due to the back and forth swaying is soothing to invite sleep in your brain. Use a hammock and you will sleep for more hours because no time is wasted to invite sleep.
Tips For Sleeping BetterÂ
- Maintain a sleep schedule
Make a fixed schedule of sleeping, go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. Make sure the timeframe of sleeping is not more than eight hours.Â
An adult human being needs at least eight hours of sleep. Do not change your sleep time during weekends or if there is a change, let it not be more than one hour. This consistency will reinforce the body’s sleep-wake cycle.
If you are not asleep within twenty minutes, leave the bed and do something relaxing like reading a book or listening to soft music. Then go back when you are tired.
- Create a sleeping environment
A cool, quiet and darkroom is the ideal environment for sleeping. Exposure to light and light-emitting screens makes it hard for you to sleep. Use air fans to cool down the room and darkening shades to invite darkness. Use earplugs if you live in a noisy estate.Â
- Avoid or reduce daytime naps
Daytime naps also have rules or else they will interfere with your nighttime sleep. A good nap should be for 30 minutes and in the afternoon. Avoid having a nap late in the evening. However, if you work at night, having a nap late in the evening is recommended.Â
- Careful eating and drinking
Do not go to sleep hungry or stuffed. Avoid heavy meals within two hours before sleep time. Heavy meals cause discomfort that will keep you up the whole night. An empty stomach also causes discomfort and you will be up the whole night.
Avoid nicotine and caffeine late in the night because they take a long time to wear off, hence disrupting your sleep. Alcohol will make you feel sleepy, but it will disrupt you later in the night.
- Manage stress and worries
Although it is hard to manage stress without a therapist, try and manage your worries before bedtime. Hold and set aside what is on your mind for the next day. Try to meditate, set priorities, and delegate tasks as ways of managing stress.
Conclusion
Yes, sleeping in a hammock is very beneficial to your physical and mental health. A hammock will make you sleep faster, have a deep sleep, help with insomnia, give you good air circulation, and good sleeping position. A wonderful night’s sleep will make you strong and energetic the whole day. Moreover, you will have a sharp memory and good moods all day long.