How and Why You Should Chill in a Hammock
Hammocks are lightweight and easy to transport—making them perfect for day trips or weekend adventures!
Why Should You Chill in a Hammock?
Here’s the deal. Yes, hammocks are fun, but many people consider hammocks to be novelty items. I am here to tell you that it is beneficial to your HEALTH to jump in and swing around/sleep in a hammock. So you're welcome the next time you need a convincing argument to spend some time in your hammock.
Let’s start with the essentials. I have categorized them by naptime essentials and overnight hammock camping essentials.
Essentials for Naps:
ENO DoubleNest Hammock - Obviously, start with a comfortable hammock. The DoubleNest is great if you are taller or broader (remember, you want to have room to lay on a bit of an angle!).
- Fits 2 people or extra roomy for one!
- Its nylon taffeta material is soft, breathable, and fast-drying.
- The triple interlocking stitching supports up to 400-lbs.
- The aluminum wiregate carabiners are compatible with most hammock suspension systems and can be clipped to any solid anchor points.
- Weighs barely over a pound.
- Packs down to the size of a grapefruit.
- Sets up in seconds, so you can relax anywhere with ease.
- Straps are sold separately.
ENO Atlas Straps - Make it super simple to hang your hammock while protecting the trees you are hanging from!
- 2 straps that measure 9' each.
- Each strap can support 200lbs for a combined weight of 400lbs.
- 15 adjustment points each, for a combined total of 30 adjustment points which makes it a perfect backpacking companion to your hammock.
Essentials for Overnight:
ENO Guardian Bug Net - Protect yourself from bugs and bites in your hammock so you can feel nice and secure. This netting is awesome since it hangs from a ridgeline – you have a little wiggle room in there.
ENO Profly Rain Tarp - Don’t get soaked just because you decided to go hammock camping instead of tent camping! This tarp will protect you from the elements so you can get a great night’s sleep even in wetter weather.
Klymit Insulated Hammock V - This sleeping pad is designed to fit in the bottom of your hammock to give you a little cushion AND create a barrier between you and the elements. Grab the insulated hammock pad if you are heading to colder temperatures.
Get the full download on the Klymit Insulated Static V Pad!
Scouting America 20 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag - Depending on how cold the temperature gets at night, you will either need to go full mummy style (chilly temps) or can get away with a classic rectangular shape (warm temps). This will ensure that any wind drafts don’t leave you with a cold bottom!
Klymit Luxe Inflatable Pillow - This is a personal preference, but lots of people like the comfort of a pillow added to the hammock for an ultra-cozy night’s sleep.
Health Benefits of Sleeping in a Hammock
Moving on to the health benefits and WHY you should be getting into a hammock! Whether you want to get started with full-blown hammock camping or just setting your hammock up for a little afternoon siesta, sleeping in a hammock is ridiculously comfortable AND comes with some great health benefits!
First and foremost, and one of my FAVORITE reasons to jump into a hammock, is that the hug-like feeling helps your body to release oxytocin and can help to lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone). Listen up here! This has some significant upsides for you – when your body releases this oxytocin, it reduces your stress response and general anxiety. Low oxytocin levels have been linked to depression, so it also stands to reason that giving yourself a natural boost by way of a hammock hug may lift your mood a bit!
Next, let’s focus on sleeping position and why sleeping in a hammock can positively impact your body’s alignment. Back sleeping has some AMAZING health benefits, including decreased back pain, reduced neck pain, wrinkle reduction, and less acid reflux. Heads up to snorers and those with sleep apnea – back sleeping can make those worse, but depending on how bad those are, the slightly elevated chest and head might help tone down the back-sleeping effect.
Snoozing in a hammock can also help you get into a deeper sleep cycle faster and stay there for longer! Fun fact: deep sleep and REM sleep are two different things. We tend to focus a lot on REM sleep, but a lack of deep sleep can lead to you waking up feeling groggy and tired, even if you get a full night’s sleep! Deep sleep is where your body works on rebuilding and cellular repair, especially necessary after long hikes and long, active days (hi, Scouts!).
How to Get Comfortable in a Hammock
Ok, so at this point, you get the “why” … time to move on to the “how”! There are whole books written on creating the perfect angle for your hammock, but for a Cliff’s Notes version, you want some sag in your hammock. Properly setting up your hammock will make a world of difference in the quality of your nap or nighttime sleep!
Hang your hammock between two trees (or grab a stand from ENO like I have and you will have the perfect hang every time! It is well worth the investment.), at about head height for the attach points. Hang it so that the middle is about chair height. You want an approximate 30° angle between the tree and the hammock straps. I am going to tell you, you can get pretty darned technical about the perfect hang, and for that, you should definitely invest in a copy of The Ultimate Hang by Derek Hansen. The hammock sag will allow your upper body to be elevated a bit and make the hammock “softer.”
After you get your hammock hung, time to get in and try it out! Make sure you are laying in the middle, and then shift your feet about 10 inches to one side and your upper body 10 inches to the other side – this will put you at an angle which can be more comfortable. Next, we have some great options to make sure that once you are in your hammock, you will be snug!
Shop Hammocks and Hammock Accessories at Scout Shop
Now, all there is to do is JUMP IN and reap the benefits... oh, and JOIN the conversation! If you are enjoying your hang time, snap a photo and share it with us on Instagram using #BSAcampcation and #ScoutShopBSA for your chance to be featured on our social channels! For hammocks, straps, sleeping bags, and more, visit ScoutShop.org—the official online retail store of the Scouting America!
