Believe it or not, there is a secret to sleeping in a hammock. Hammocks are not just for seeping outdoors; you can use them inside too.  Why would you want to? They are amazing for your body. A $50.00 hammock will be better for your body than one of the fancy $5,000.00 mattresses you see on TV. Before we can get to the benefits, we need to know how to use a hammock.

I want to talk about the secret to sleeping in a hammock, because I just see too many people using them the wrong way. Some of your thoughts would be to have the hammock as flat as possible or using spreader bars to keep your hammock taunt. These are the 2 biggest mistakes that I see regularly done.

Spreader bars may seem like a good option at first, but they are highly dangerous! These bars will make your hammock flatter and more unstable. Have you ever seen someone sit in a hammock with a spreader bar? Most of the time they topple right over.

Sitting in one is not easy, and sleeping in it is uncomfortable. It’s like sleeping on a table that’s moving side to side, trying to throw you off. I have tried these and could not relax for fear of adjusting and rolling right out! It’s definitely not a good idea for adults and a really bad idea for kids. Getting a head or neck injury is just a matter of time when using a spreader bar.

The next big mistake new hammock users have is to pull the hammock tight. I guess most people want to make it as close to a flatbed as possible. Flattening out a hammock makes it unstable and uncomfortable. You might also find yourself in a cocoon where you cant move your arms. It’s really silly to see someone in this predicament. I have seen people do this before where they try and make their hammocks as tight as possible and end up pulling eye bolts right out of the wall.  Then they come crashing down and find themselves injured. Hammocks are meant to be hung with a slight dip and cup appearance in the middle.  This is what makes these hammocks so good for your back when you sleep.

So, one of the biggest secrets to sleeping in a hammock is the natural cure. Some call this the zero pressure point. Hanging a hammock in a natural curve is key to comfort. Just simply hang it so it is loose. You will know you are right when you can lay on your hammock at a slight angle without being forced into the center. By forcing into the center, I mean, if you’re sinking and almost sitting in your hammock, it’s way too loose.  If done right, you can turn and will notice a lot more room in your hammock.

Laying in your properly set up hammock means that you will feel comfortable, won’t feel claustrophobic, wake up without pains, and the hammock tattoo on your back.  In regards to the hammock tattoos, don’t use those heavily spaced hammocks that are typically made with string and large gaps that will imprint into your skin.

Laying on your hammock at an angle also allows you to adjust the curve on your body, making you flatter. The whole point of setting up your hammock properly is to have a more relaxing and healthy sleep. Some people even choose to meditate while in a hammock because of the serenity you can achieve while sleeping in it.

Some side sleepers like myself will dread the thought of having to sleep on their back! I can understand the fear, thinking that there is no way you will be able to sleep all night on your back. I couldn’t do so myself, so I am glad to tell you that you don’t have to sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side works just fine when you hang your hammock loosely and lay at an angle, as I said before. It’s about a 30-degree angle that allows you to get into that side sleeping position.  Also, make sure the sides are pulled up and not tucked under your limbs.  If they are tucked under you, you will literally slide right out while you’re trying to sleep.

Trying to sleep on my back in my bed is really nearly impossible but not bad at all in my hammock. I even wake up some mornings out of my hammock on my back without any pain, and I’m always amazed. I start out on my side and get up in either position just fine. Never do I find myself waking up out of bed on my back.

This secret to sleeping in a hammock will assure you some of the best night sleep. The biggest benefit I have while sleeping is that I can have a solid full nights sleep. I don’t have many solid nights sleep in my bed, but I am dead to the world in my hammock. If you have trouble sleeping in your hammock, you should try readjusting to our previous recommendations or get a better hammock.

Material matters. Some hammocks are made of softer materials, and these are most often more comfortable to sleep in than thicker stiffer materials that don’t adjust as well.

If you feel that the weather is colder, try using a blanket between you and the hammock. Hammock sleeping pads are another great option if you need the extra insulation. A hammock sleeping pad can also be easily rolled up and stored.You could also use a small blanket and tuck yourself into your hammock to stay warm.  If you’re a side sleeper this may not be so easy for you.  However, if you sleep on your back, you’ll find this to work fantastically!

So, to finish up, everyone can get comfortable in the right hammock used the correct way. I would give up my bed at home if I could talk my wife into it.