Swinging comfortably in a hammock with an ice-cold beer feels good. But a night of long, restful sleep feels even better!
We all could do with a vacation at the beach, right?
But it absolutely sucks when the back pain kicks in, and you’re stranded in the beach chair all alone.
Wondering how that happened?
A saggy, lopsided hammock can ruin a good night’s sleep like nothing else. Oftentimes, it has little to do with your sleeping posture.
So, if you have a question,
Can you sleep on your side in a hammock?
Hammocks are actually great for side sleepers. They offer gentle relaxation and promote better sleep tonight for an energetic tomorrow! And, yes. You can definitely sleep on your side in a hammock. The best choices are to hang your hammock low, lay diagonally, or stay cradled in a sleeping pad for comfort. Besides, a Brazilian hammock with spreader bars has plenty of space for you to stretch.
Why Sleeping in a Hammock Feels the Best?
Sleeping on a hard mattress is no fun. At the same time, making yourself at home in a hammock doesn’t sound too convincing either.
But one of the best things about hammocks is the ambiance, if not its soft swinging motion!
Here are a few ways a quality hammock improves your sleeping habits and health!
It Relieves Your Pressure Points (And Arthritis Too!)
Plenty of people prefer to sleep in a hammock because it helps them relax.
But did you know that sleeping in a conventional hammock alleviates sleep apnea, acid reflux, and excess stress too?
We’re not talking about beachside rope hammocks, though. Those things can keep you up all night.
In our entire hammock experience, a polyester one is hands down the most comfortable!
Takes a Person Only Two Minutes to Set It Up
Understanding the ins and outs of a hammock set-up can leave you at your wit’s end.
Don’t worry! Thousands of people do it every day!
In fact, once you know how to set up a hammock safely, you can do yours in two minutes.
You have surely come across one of those famous Draumr hammocks, or own one yourself.
Even with a bottle holder, a roomy stuff sack, and multiple storage pockets, Draumr hammocks are the finest camping hammocks to date!
Makes You Fall Asleep Faster
Nowadays, mattresses come with layers after layers of springs and foam to give you that “floating” vibe.
Sadly, the prices are through the roof! Why bother when you can have a bridge hammock for one-tenth of the price?
Look at any majestic Draumr hammock, and you’ll instantly understand why it’s so much better than your bed!
From a super comfy hammock fabric to high-quality suspension, a Draumr hammock has it all.
Now, factor in that island breeze and you’re good to go!
Can’t Sleep Comfortably in a Hammock? Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong!
So, you’re on that much-needed vacation with your friends. A lot of partying and chilling is in order. There’s no way you’re giving up that ethereal view of the beach and returning to your hotel room!
You call it a night and nestle in one of those popular Hennessy hammocks.
But wait. What’s with all the tossing and turning?
We’ve come up with a few answers!
Hanging the Hammock Too Tightly with the Strap
We’ve heard plenty of hammock experiences (both good and bad!) to know what goes haywire.
Even with a perfectly zen personality, you can wake up dog-tired in your hammock.
And a flat hammock surface is to blame! Well, a hammock is not your backyard trampoline. It doesn’t need to have a flat surface, to begin with.
Sleeping at the Center of a Polyester Hammock
When you lay right in the middle of a hammock, you’ll experience one of these 3 things:
You can’t move around much. (Thanks to the tight hammock walls!)
Your back is killing you from laying in a “cocoon” position.
Now, where’s that neck pain? Oh, there it is!
What people mean when they say they need a “flat hammock” is the right way to lay flat in a curved hammock. There, we said it!
Hanging It Too High from the Ground
In all honesty, setting up your backpacking hammock a couple of feet high from the ground is a daring choice.
Surprisingly, many people are still up for it!
One mistake, and you’re taking the free fall.
Relax! We didn’t mean to scare you!
What we’re trying to say is- an anxious brain activity during the late hours is a big no-no from us.
Rope Hammocks Are Not Comfortable for Every Person
Most people will choose a rope hammock for its aesthetics. If you look at the hammock history, it’s been a popular one for a long time, right?
For a fetal position sleeper or a tall person, rope hammocks have their fair share of benefits.
But they cannot provide firm support for your spine.
Sleep in the Hammock in the Right Position!
If you haven’t found your ideal sleeping position yet, there’s a fat chance you’ll find it in a hammock.
You might be thinking “How far apart should the posts be?” or “What is a good ridgeline length?”
And it might prompt you to sleep in a tent instead.
But when it comes to camping in style, a traditional hammock simply outshines your other options.
Take our advice and go for a hammock. Leave the rest to us!
Let the Hammock Hang Loose!
Rule number one in our guide to hammock camping is letting the hammock sag. Well, only a little bit!
You heard that right!
Now repeat after us, a saggy hammock is a comfortable hammock.
Take the Hennessy hammocks for example. If you tighten the ropes too much and lay in the middle part of the hammock, you can kiss your sleep goodbye.
An inexpensive hammock setup without a line level for the ridgeline can be an issue. You’ll need to cancel out that odd angle as well.
Honestly, it applies to all types of hammocks out there. This specific setup puts your back under a lot of pressure.
Make Comfort a Priority: Pay Attention to the Size & Angle
We get it, hammocks can feel uncomfortable with a problematic set-up. Especially when you need plenty of space to move around, not even a Braumr hammock can offer you that.
It’s time to turn that around and unlock your healthy hammock experience!
You can form the ideal hammock angle by laying at the center. From there, move your feet about 10 inches to the side. And finally, tilt your upper body in the opposite direction.
The opposite ends of the hammock are actually the two tightest spots you want to avoid. And we think all hammock users can relate to that.
A Durable Fabric Makes a Big Difference
Your hammock fabric and straps have a lot to do with your comfort.
For example, nylon Draumr hammocks support a good deal of weight for a stomach sleeper.
It’s not going to be as soft as those cotton or polyester Hennesy hammocks. But it sure stands up to the elements!
Between cotton and a polyester hammock, we are siding with a polyester Draumr.
It’s soft, durable, and mold-resistant. What’s there not to like?
A Knee Pad Is a Cool Camping Gear!
If you’re familiar with a foot hammock, you’ll understand why knee pads are necessary.
Pain in the knees something we deal with from time to time.
And the trick is to put on knee pads before you hit the snooze button!
They will relieve your joints and remove extra pressure from your knees.
Key Takeaways: Top 3 Backpacking Hammock Tips for Deeper Sleep
Here we’ve rounded up three important things you should do before sleeping in a hammock.
Keep the Hammock Loose and the Strap Tight!
A loose hammock isn’t one that is hanging loosely from the posts.
Similarly, tethering the strap tightly to a tree has nothing to do with how flat or saggy your hammock is hanging.
There are notches in the straps (or ropes) that allow you to adjust the hammock height. And this is where you control the sagginess according to your comfort!
Get No-nonsense Straps and a Rainfly
You can probably do without a dripline in the summer. But you’ll need non-stretch polyester straps at all times.
Look for straps with triple-stitched edges and multiple hooking loops. For a hassle-free experience with a double hammock, find a strap that suspends a larger hammock from far anchor points.
The rainfly will protect you from heavy rain and strong gusts of wind.
Did you know that tarps double up as a rainfly?
Add one to your camping gear. You never know what the weather has in store!
Don’t Forget Your Blanket and Sleeping Pad!
You can skip the pillows, but definitely not your blanket!
A sleeping pad allows you to turn your hammock into a chair. How convenient is that?
Hennessy hammocks can come with a handy bug net. But you need to arrange a good sleeping pad (preferably a 78″ ×25″ ×3.5″ one) to lay flat on your side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Hennessy hammocks the best?
Hennessy hammocks are extremely resistant to wear and tear. (Draumr hammocks aren’t too far behind!)
Their weather-proofing and safety measures are also top-notch. Each comes with a handy suspension kit and storage pockets. Hennessy hammocks have a lot of benefits for the price.
What type of hammock straps should I get?
A strong polyester strap will likely last for a few years before it starts to stretch. A 12-foot strap with quality carabiners and loops is a great choice.
What are the benefits of a larger hammock?
Larger Hennesy hammocks allow you to lay diagonally and keep your feet in any position. On the other hand, you might need to fold your legs to lay in a small Draumr hammock.
How to make a hammock feel comfortable for side sleepers?
Recline in the hammock and move your feet a few degrees to the side till they lay flat as well. Move your upper body the same way in the opposite direction.
Now your body is in a diagonal yet flat position. You can move to the side, or sleep on your stomach from here. A sleeping pad also helps!
Bottom Line
Hammock camping is the perfect time to unwind your mind and make the best out of that sun-dappled beach.
As side sleepers ourselves, we can relate to your troubles with a tight, uncomfortable hammock.
We hope that you found out how to sleep on your side in a hammock from our discussion. Now, crank up a good ambient post-rock playlist and enjoy!