Why Is a Proper Hammock Set Up Crucial For Your Health?

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Keeping Your Back Happy

Today's hammocks come in various styles, making great additions to any indoor or outdoor environment. Some no longer require trees for anchoring, while some can match your house's appearance. But having a hammock is not just for decor.

Evidence suggests that sleeping in a hammock can positively impact your physical and mental health. However, a poor hammock setup can have adverse effects.

Read on to find out how to set up a hammock correctly and the benefits of it.

Read More: 6 Major Health Benefits Of Sleeping In A Hammock

Why It's Important to Hang Your Hammock Properly?

A correct hammock setup will not only give you a comfortable place to relax or sleep, but it's vital to your health. Here's what proper setup can help you with:

Impact On Posture

You can prevent the misalignment of your spine when your hammock is set up correctly. For one, hanging your hammock at a 30-degree angle from a horizontal will give it a good sag. This step is essential for making the hammock stable and more comfortable.

Then, lying down at a diagonal across the sling is best. And once you're in this traditional position, the hammock's "cradling effect" will keep your spine from shifting into any pain-inducing sleep position.

Pressure Point Relief

Another benefit includes no pressure points. That's because a hammock is designed to distribute pressure over your entire body while you sleep. Therefore, a well-placed hammock can help relieve any strain on your back and joints.

Read More: Doing This Could Save Your Back

Reduces Stress Levels

Lying in a hammock that has been set up correctly will also lead to a decrease in unnatural stress levels. Between the positioning and gentle swinging motion, your body will immediately feel more relaxed, giving you a more restful, deeper sleep.

Improves Heart Rate

And finally, hammocks placed at the correct incline elevate the upper body, promoting proper blood flow. That improved circulation results in an optimal rate.

Read More: Hang In A Hammock For Better Mental Health

What Will Happen If Your Hammock Is Too Tight and Flat?

Hanging a hammock too tight is pretty common, especially among first-time users. But a taut hammock will only cause it to wrap around your body tightly, squeezing your shoulders and forcing you to be still.

Additionally, the extra tightness can cause damage to the hammock and the trees it's hanging from.

How Tight Should Hammock Be? 

Instead, your hammock should have lots of slack, and you should even take advantage of the stretchy material and use the entire width of the sling. If appropriately hung, the hammock will still be tight at the centre but loose on the sides.

Keeping Your Back Healthy

Having a bad back can have a debilitating impact on your physical and mental health.

Normal, day-to-day activities become more and more challenging to perform, considerably decreasing your quality of life. Therefore, maintaining good back health through proper diet, physical fitness, and sleeping positions is in your best interest.

Read More: Why Does Back Pain Happen?

Where To Hang Your Hammock

From any room in your home to between two trees in the backyard or at a campsite, you can hang almost anywhere. Wherever you decide, be sure to have an adequate height and distance, the right equipment, and the best hanging method for your chosen space. Here are some other factors to consider:

Check If the Place Allows You to Hang Around

If you plan to use your hammock in a public space like a park, check if you're allowed to hang your hammock on the trees. Some areas have banned hammocks due to people harming trees when they hang. If that's the case, you could always invest in hammock stands to hold up your hammock.

Read More: How To Read In A Hammock?

Avoid Direct Sun Exposure

It's best to choose a hanging spot that has shade. Direct sun exposure for long periods is not only dangerous for your health, but it's also damaging to the hammock. Too much sun regularly can cause the hammock's fibres to deteriorate over time.

200 Metres Away From A Water Source

You should also follow the Leave No Trace principles and avoid setting up your hammock too close to a water source. You don't want to be the cause of damage to that habitat, nor do you want to block other people's access to that water.

How To Properly Hang A Hammock

As discussed, knowing how to set up a hammock correctly is crucial to preventing injury. It's also necessary to avoid harming your environment.

Generally, hammocks have straightforward setup instructions, including picking the best location to hang them. If you're using trees as your anchors, it's best to choose the right trees, the healthy ones. And you'll also need the appropriate environmentally friendly equipment.

Once you've set everything up properly, ensure the hammock is secure before getting in. Let's dive deeper into what you need to know about hammock setup.

Choose A Healthy Tree

It's best to work with big, sturdy trees that can support your weight. Also, you want to avoid attaching your hammock to trees with dead branches or that are home to any wildlife. And you should never hang more than one hammock to the same tree; the weight may be more than the tree can handle.

Straps And Ropes

A more environmentally conscious choice is using wide straps rather than bolts, metal rings, or j-hooks. The straps will be less damaging to the trees you're attaching your hammock to. Another eco-friendly option is hammock stands. They may be bulkier to carry than straps and ropes, but you won't be harming any trees or worrying about setting up your hammock to the proper distance and height.

The Perfect Angle and The Proper Height

As mentioned earlier, a hammock's hanging angle is best at 30 degrees. It gives the hammock the appropriate amount of sag for safety and comfort. The hammock should also be placed about 18 inches above the ground. That gives you enough height away from the ground, but it's not too high for you to climb out when you're ready. You can always add or take away an inch to that number, depending on how tall you are.

The Takeaway

Sleep is crucial for your health, and now, hammocks are proving beneficial in giving you the deep sleep you need for optimal health. So if you're looking for ways to improve your sleep and well-being, you may consider swapping your traditional bed for a hammock.

At Hammock Universe, we have everything you need to start hammocking at home or outside. Check out our inventory today!