Did you know today is National Hammock Day? It is, so let’s celebrate the backyard summer staple.
Little known facts about the ubiquitous hammock..
- It’s roughly a 1000 years old
- The Mayans created the sleeping sling to keep them safe as they slept
- Columbus discovered the hammock and took it back to Europe
- European navies adopted the space saving sleeper and used it on the decks of their ships
- A company in South Carolina began mass production of the hammock in 1889
- It was a leisure must have for the wealthy and an essential for frontier farmers
Today, the hammock still enjoys its spot in the sun (or the shade). It goes glamping, and camping with the adventurous. It hangs in the backyard of many homes for relaxation and good summer reading. It has even found its way into the home for some.
How often have you laid down in a hammock with a great book and a glass of wine only to find your eyelids drooping and soon you are off to la la land? Well, it is no wonder the hammock is the best way to sleep. The gentle rocking of a hammock mimics that of rocking a baby to sleep. The swaying motion aligns the brain waves and induces a deep and sound sleep.
Incorporating the hammock into your backyard is a breeze. Not to worry if you don’t have two sturdy trees to hang it between, there are free standing hammocks with a wood or metal frame. A favorite solution is to install two posts with a hook and hang the hammock between the two. This solution lets you take it down with little effort and store it with ease too.
For even more fun, consider a hammock built for two. Let’s face it napping alone is fun but napping with someone is better.
