Everyone wants to have a relaxing time after a hard day’s work. A comfy place to lay down, a cold one, with dimming lights, it’s the epitome of a good time. And if you have a hammock, that can elevate it by a few more levels.
The swinging motion of a hammock is what every man desire. It almost feeds the inner child in us. No wonder we fall asleep while laying on a hammock. It is that relaxing.
Some people also swap out their beds for a hammock. And there are people in the world who use hammocks as beds. So the question arises, is it bad to sleep in a hammock every night?
Although there is no conclusive research in this field, we are going to go through some of the things that will benefit you while sleeping in a hammock. And also why you shouldn’t make a routine out of it.
Sleeping in a Hammock vs Bed -Is It Bad to Sleep in a Hammock Every Night Instead of Bed?
You might love the swinging feeling when you are on a hammock, and it might put you in a deep sleep state quicker than in your bed. So you are thinking of making it your daily night routine. But is it the healthier choice? Putting aside the risks, we are going to discuss if you should sleep in a hammock instead of a bed.
There is a lot of significance in sleeping in a hammock. The best of them is being able to fall asleep faster. The swing motion of the hammock resembles a children’s cradle, for adults. Thus the brain eases the whole body into a light sleep state faster than a bed.
As a bed is stable and there is no room to sink your body into, you might sometime find it hard to fall asleep. Which ends up in a restless night.
But while you are in a hammock, there is no pressure from the hammock to your body. Rather it supports your body accordingly. It keeps you in a tight place with not much room to roll around. This not only comforts you but also helps you ease your sores from daily hard work.
Though it is a great relaxing piece of furniture, an aesthetic to have, and the feeling of being light as a feather, it comes with a few discomforts for some.
You might develop stiffness in your muscles, and back, and pain in the spine and neck. If you already have any of those, the hammock sometime helps. But for most people, it gets worse with time.
And if you are a restless sleeper and move around a lot, the hammock won’t do any good for you. You won’t be able to move around and lay down as you want. You either have to be on one side of your back all the time.
Lastly, if you are not used to a hammock, and need to get up in the middle of the night suddenly, you might injure yourself badly. As it is a hanging structure, you won’t be able to get off as quickly as you get off of your bed.
Benefits of Sleeping in a Hammock
The significant benefits of a hammock are unarguable. Here are some benefits you will get if you are sleeping in a hammock.
- Helps you with your posture during sleep. You will stay in one position, so there is less development of wrong posture problems in the morning.
- For people with insomnia, the hammock does wonder. The swinging motion makes them fall asleep faster and go into a deep sleeping state than a bed.
- If your bed is giving you back, neck, and spine pain, you can try a hammock for some time. This will support your pressure points and ease them.
Disadvantages of Sleeping in a Hammock
If you are thinking of switching your bed with your hammock permanently, then you should also consider the disadvantages of sleeping in a hammock.
- Less stretchable room is a common thing in a hammock. Although there are larger hammocks, when you lay down, you cannot move around or stretch as you do in a bed. And in time it will develop a lot of problems.
- For a restless sleeper, you cannot move around in a hammock. Hence sleep will be not as long as you want. You will get up and feel stuck in a place in your sleep. So the uncomfortable feeling will deprive you of your sleep.
- As there is no hard surface beneath a hammock, you might suddenly feel weightless and fall. This will put your body and brain in shock and you will wake up. Which is not a good thing for any sleeping person. Worst case, you might develop a panic attack or stroke.
- If you already have back, neck, and spine pain, the use of a hammock regularly might help at first. But after some time, it will come back again.
So Should You Sleep in a Hammock Every night?
If you have certain problems like insomnia, back problem, and posture issue, you can switch to a hammock for a change. But do not make it a routine. You cannot just throw out your bed for a hammock. Rather you can change from bed to hammock and the hammock to bed occasionally.
This way you will have the comfort of both worlds together. And also, a place to relax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sleep in a hammock long-term?
No. If you start sleeping in a hammock long-term, then you will develop different types of health issues. Back pain, spinal pain, neck pain are the most common ones. Also, if you want to get off of a hammock suddenly, it might injure you. So sleeping in a hammock for the long-term isn’t suggested.
Are Hammocks good for side sleepers?
Yes. Normally single hammocks don’t give you this feature. But with a double hammock, you can sleep on the sides. Some single outdoor hammocks let you choose one side to sleep on. But you cannot turn to the other if you want to. So it is better to do with a double hammock.
Can you replace your bed with a hammock?
Not really. You get a lot of room to stretch in a bed, sleep in different positions and sides. But with a hammock, you cannot move freely and have to sleep either on your back or one side, depending on the hammock. Moreover, a hammock will keep you in motion, so it will disturb your sleep after some time.
Conclusion
You can never replace a bed, even if you want to. You can make it more comfortable, change your posture to avoid sores, and adjust the accessories to your choice. But with a hammock, you lack comfort sometimes.
Although it puts you to sleep instantly, on a long-term base, like sleeping in a hammock every night, it won’t be a good practice. Apart from the health problems, you might also start having light sleep instead of deep ones. Leaving aside the accidental falls when getting off quickly. It is best if you have both and spend time in the hammock to initiate sleep and move to the bed afterward.
Leave a Reply