Hammocks are, arguably, the most comfortable and natural ancient means of rest available to man today. The medical community has even sounded in on the clamor, prescribing these free standing beds as therapeutic devices for people suffering ailments from blood pressure, autism, lack of concentration, and back trauma. So, why all the fuss over hammocks? For one, they are basically an effortless Yoga lesson and meditation session in one calm, heavenly sitting. For another thing, they are cost effective and simple to attain. And, the hammock is considerably eco friendly.
The most utilitarian and common construction, and also one of the most popular and comfortable, is the woven rope hammock, and these can be found in many different fabrics. Cotton is largely the most comfortable, but is also the easiest to stretch and ruin when left out too frequently in the harsh outdoor elements. The best solution to this, of course, is to bring the cotton woven hammock inside or under a shelter during harsh weather such as rain storms and snow. Always allow your
garden hammock to air dry if it gets wet.
Next we have polyester and nylon fabrics, which are both more durable and colorfast than their cotton counterparts. The sacrifice: an ounce of comfort. Many report a more stiff, less flexible, less breathable, and less comfortable rest in hammocks created of man made materials. After time and use, these fabrics will eventually soften up and become more ergonomic, giving the user the comfort that they seek with the strength and resilience that they hoped for. Both cotton and man-made fabrics can be woven, netted, quilted, or stretched. This is a matter of preference, so try them out for feel and comfort.
In addition,
wood hammock stands can also be environmentally sound. If you are able to hang your hammock between two trees, kudos to you! Half of your battle is won, for most don’t have this luxury. If you need to build or buy a stand, try to stick with the plentiful wooden and recycled metal or alloy products. This will ensure that you not only get the stability and strength that you need, but that you don’t introduce harmful elements into your green, eco-friendly lifestyle. For added interest, you might check out some of the hammocks that are available in a durable and extra comfortable hemp rope material. These can also be weaved or netted.
