Now might be the perfect time to consider Hammocking

In honor of National Hammock Day on July 22nd (Didn’t know there was such a thing as “national hammock day?” Well, now you do.), it might be the perfect time to consider relaxing into the hammocking world.

Since the 13th century Mayans, who are credited with first developing hammocks, humans have enjoyed napping and resting in these cozy woven suspended nets that have been tied together between two trees. The word “Hammock” originated from a Taino culture Arwakan word meaning “fishnet”. The name is also derived from the Hamack tree because hammocks used to be woven from their bark, hence “hamacas” from the Taino language.

Columbus first encountered the hammock in the Bahamas. He observed in 1492 that “people were sleeping in nets between the trees”. He liked the idea so much that he brought the hammock back to Europe where sailors started using it extensively because swinging while suspended in the air led to better sleep than they were previously experiencing on the mangy ship floors.

Today the hammock is often seen as a symbol of summer, leisure, relaxation, and simple, easy living. Thanks to the global pandemic, people are looking for easy and simple ways to relax and enjoy their outdoor spaces. Hammocks offer a great way to relieve stress and restore yourself after a hard day, or week… or year.  But if you don’t have two sturdy trees that perfect distance apart in your back yard, it just so happens that hammocks come in all shapes and sizes, and don’t have to take up much room.  Why, you could even put out a free-standing a hammock chair on your apartment terrace or hang one from your balcony!

You can find hammock options around $60 as well as designs that cost upward of $800. All require assembly. Some need to be hung while others are functional on their own with a stand. You can also cater the chair to your own personal style with a wide range of materials. Choose from cotton, wicker, rattan, macrame and more. Place a hanging hammock chair in your favorite corner and dress it up with colorful blankets and pillows, or hang it outside on your favorite tree with some twinkling lights strung above.

Now, all you need is a glass of your favorite beverage, a good book, or perhaps some meditative music or latest podcast at the ready, and you are all set to hammock the day away!

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Photo Credit: soft_light / Shutterstock.com