40 year old sleeps in a hammock instead of a bed for over a year +benefits
Вставка
- Опубліковано 13 сер 2018
- Read my entire hammock article: ptsdanddepression.com/battlin...
----------------------------
My hammock: amzn.to/2xe0Hjh
My hammock stand: amzn.to/2ISQmup
Today I thought I would write an article about how I replaced my bed, got rid of my lower back pain, and started getting the best sleep of my life. As a matter of fact, I am writing this article from the comfort of my hammock.
-----------------------------------
HAMMOCK AS A BED?
If you are like me, and suffer from PTSD, have problems sleeping or roll around like crazy in your bed at night and wake up more tried the when you went to to sleep it is time to give sleeping in a hammock a shot. It cost me less than $100.00 to set everything up and much less if you already have a place to hang a hammock such as basement rafters.
At the end of the article you will find my hammock setup, pros, cons and other thoughts about this alternative bed lifestyle.
I have been sleeping in my hammock for over a year now and I don’t think I will ever go back.
HOW I STARTED SLEEPING IN A HAMMOCK FULL TIME
My hammock hanging antics all started when I decided to travel and live out of my 2016 ford transit high top cargo van. I was failing to deal with my PTSD and depression in a pretty epic way, and needed an escape from my reality at the time so I did what every normal person would do. I bought a brand new van with the intentions of living in it while I traveled the country.
I needed to figure out my sleeping situation inside the van and with space at a premium, hardly any tools, or carpentry experience hanging a hammock made the most sense since hammocks are incredibly cheap.
At a rest stop somewhere in the midwest around sunset.
At a rest stop somewhere in the midwest around sunset.
For now I am not going to go into detail on how I installed the hammock but I’ll drop a little hint here and I am sure you can figure it out.
So on the road I went sleeping in my hammock every night. I was amazed at how fast I was falling asleep.
By the 3rd day the nagging lower back pain I have had for years was suddenly gon. I couldn’t believe it.
Colorado - Hanging in my hammock along side the road in my van.
Colorado - Hanging in my hammock along side the road in my van.
After traveling the county for about 6 months my wanderlust was drying up, and I was ready to head back to Pittsburgh, PA.
Once home I slept in my regular bed 1 time, and I woke up feeling like I had been twisted like a prezel, and my lower back was KILLiNG ME.
I went out to my can, unhooked my hammock and decided right then and there that I was no longer sleeping in a regular bed, and I have not gone back since.
HAMMOCK IN THE BASEMENT
I started out by hanging my hammock in the rafters in the basement because it was really the only place I could hang it without a hammock stand. Eventually I ordered my hammock stand through Amazin prime with free shipping my old bed was out of my bedroom and my life.
Below you will find my current hammock setup, pros and cons of sleeping in a hammock and other thoughts on the subject.
MY HAMMOCK BED SETUP.
With this setup there is no need to know how to tie any knots. The hammock comes ready to hang. All you have to do is build the hammock stand which takes about 10 minites.
$20.00 Hammock
$20.00 HAMMOCK
Size: 78"W x 118"L
Comfortably Supporting Up To 500 lbs: This double hammock fits 2 persons, You can lay down with your friend or loved one and you will still have plenty of room. Because of the new 210T nylon parachute fabric, the BACKPACKING hammocks provide relaxing support up to 500 lbs
Super Lightweight And Easy Setup: The backpacking hammock can be used for camping, travel, beach, yard. You will have everything you need for quick and easy hanging setup. It will take less than 3 minutes to hang your camping hammock on a tree or nearby objects using the ropes, strips and carabiners
#hammock #backpain #sleep #rest
Check out my blog at www.ptsdanddepression.com
hey are you still using a hammock to this day? how do you find it?
I’ve been sleeping in a hammock for over 2 years. My back is SO much better and I sleep like a baby. Any time I have to sleep in a bed my back will protest, to say the least. Never going back. It’s amazing how little medical information there is regarding the effects of hammock sleeping when it comes to back pain.
Been sleeping in a hammock full time for over 4 years in my apartment, I am in love with hammocks. Now I am moving into a van and of coarse I already hung a hammock instead of building a bed that takes up about half of my floor space. Tonight will be my first trial run
#vanlife and hammocks are 💚. What kind of van do you have? Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Hey yea same here, i switched to a hammock about 8months ago in my van and it's way better, not just for space but i sleep a lot better. I got a walmart hammock as a test hammock but still use it X) one random van related upside is you don't have to worry about parking flat!
I live in an RV too & sleeping in a hammock has been on my mind, hence looking at this vid.
I’d give it a shot. It is a cheap investment and if you don’t like it for sleeping, you can still use it to enjoy the outdoors. I have been using it for camping for years now. I refuse to sleep in a tent now lol.
@@HappyLittleNightmares thanks for the reply....I’ve actually already Jane the hammock (Nakie) which is 3m’s long, but from what I’ve read an 11” hammock is better for a flat lay.....however I’m pretty much a side sleeper so maybe it’ll work? Im real curious to try a longer hammock now....anyway, yeah I’ll have to look at some anchors to fit in my van to try it out for a few nights....I’d love to be able to simply unhook the hammock & leave my bed set up as couch full time instead of it being a bed.
I have been hammock sleeping instead of a mattress since camping in 2020.
I have bought several stands, have had rings in the wall as well as a number of hammocks.
It has been way better for my neck and back. There definitely are challenges and things to learn.
As he says, the portability is great and if you camp, your bed comes with!
Just came from outside sleeping in my hammock. Man that was the best 3 hour nap ever. It’s an amazing experience.
Lol omg
Watching this in my hammock
I’m not going to lie, I thought you just had really cool cats or something, but when I got my cat she INSTANTLY LOVED the hammock! She purred REAL loud and she started kneading me really hard! Might I add she drooled all over LOL! Thanks for the tips in the video!
I mean my cats are pretty cool and all, but I bet most cats would like a hammock in their life. Glad to hear your did as well. 😁
Looking forward to seeing how the cat reacts! In the hatteras rope hammock we always had 2 shelties pile in and still slept!
I use a hammock when I backpack. It's so comfortable I'll never use a tent and considered replacing my bed with a hammock.
think about how much cleaner this could actually be especially from dust mites. and chemicals in mattresses, and the price of mattress cover, pillow dust mite preventionencasing, the sheets, its all an allergy mess. the hammock seems like a no brainer. esp for people with allergies. so much cleaner. one thing u can throw in the wash, its prolly non permeable fabric as well
I love it. 🤓
Hammocks come in all kinds of different materials, mine tend to be a soft semi stretchy nylon
I’ve been sleeping in my hammock full time for almost 2 years now. I sleep perfectly now. And it cured my chronic neck pain. My cats and small dogs all love it and sleep with me. I will never go back either.
I'm 50 and I started sleeping in a hammock 5 years ago. Since I started sleeping in a hammock, I stopped snoring and stopped having back problems. I LOVE my hammock. I'm 300 lbs so it's not just for young, skinny people. lol.
I don't have a fancy stand for mine. I bought a couple of "hitching rings" at Lowes for $4 each. If you mount them on the wall right up against the ceiling, you will almost always hit a stud because the walls are double-top-plated.
I've been sleeping in a hammock for 1 month now and I'm 42 and I feel good. I used to have trouble falling asleep, now Fall asleep faster. I love seing people go against the traditional outdated hindrances of social obligations.
7 months still feel great. I Sleep awesome I've taken melatonin on work nights for years also . Sometimes if I'm having trouble sleeping ill push off the wall an swing my way to sleep.
@@mobydickhead1 do hammocks improve mental clarity.
@@julianblacksmith8539. No, but getting a good night sleep does for sure so, yes.
4 years now, sleeping in a hammock. I tried doing the bed thing but it's just not as good. I get sore at night on a bed and constantly swap positions for so.e type of relief. And after being able to shake floor 6:21 debris out of the hammock and throw it in dryer or wash the whole system i think beds are gross. Think back to all the Nasty stuff people and pets do in a bed, now realize the bed cannot fit in a washing machine. Hammock for life. Even when I broke my ribs the hammock was a way to keep pressure off of the spot while I slept.
yes, I sleep in my hammock full time! I love it!!
A yeah, a fellow full timer! How long have you been doing it full time? I am actually in a hotel right now hanging in my hammock because I refuse to use a bed LOL. 😂
@@HappyLittleNightmares haha, I was just considering packing mine up when I go on vacation next month! I've been full time for a about 3 months....I can't picture trying to sleep in a bed now!
Alittlesunshine I would highly recommend bringing it with you, even if you don’t use it.
I regretted it last time I didn’t bring mine lol.
it baffles me how often i see people asking about sex in a hammock LOL i've noticed some people can get weirdly judgemental if you don't sleep in the same bed as your partner too. doesn't make sense to me. a lot of those people grew up sleeping alone, surely they feel more uncomfortable sleeping with a partner, and just prioritize the intimacy, right? sleeping arrangements are a HUGE problem for so many couples out there, from snoring to temperature to bed preferences to waking each other up etc. think of how many mattresses out there advertise how their bed suits couples (dual sleepnumber beds, memory foam that don't jiggle wine glasses, etc) the easiest solution is just to sleep separetly! it's weird how taboo that is!
Jeremy. Sorry for the slow response. Would you like to give me a call?
I've been sleeping in a hammock for a while now too. I also use the wiggy's sleeping bags. I love it. I have an under quilt that I use for about half of the year. I chipped away some drywall so I could make sure that the eye-lags that I put up were centered on the stud. I threw my mattress away. I see all these mattress ads with contempt now, they are so expensive, heavy, and space consuming.
Yeah. You use eight bags as well? They are great! I hate when I am traveling and have to sleep on a mattress. They are just miserable. Eventually I’ll have a permanent fixture like yours, but I am not there yet lol. Thanks for sharing!
I just ordered a hammock. should be here tomorrow. I have 4 beds in my house and every one hurts my back. I am praying I can get a good night's sleep finally.
I guess my message didn't go through last time. I hope that your new hammock will help you get the good night's sleep you are looking for.
Full time hammock sleeper here!
Thanks for the info. It's given me a bit more confidence to use one in my 25ft yacht. As a solo sailor, it should give me a lot more storage when I convert the V-berth to a larder. No more rolling out of bed for me.
Take care brother!
Thank you for your video, I want to get a really nice hammock for my wonderful, amazing, hubby as the first bed replacement in the house (I plan to replace the entire family's beds with hammocks some day) and your vid was super helpful from a man's perspective.
Yup I suffer from ptsd too. Sleep in an ozark stand from walmart with a cotton fringed hammock from walmart. My outside hammock is from wise owl.
Great video, brother. I sleep in a double full time!
Thanks for your channel!
thanks for sharing. Tried the hammock for a few days and loved it until the hanger broke. Will try to get one this week and get back on it. The thing about the neck and back pain is real much better than the bed/mattress of any quality
It broke!? Oh no. Yeah, it really does help with back pain. Thanks for sharing, and happy hangin. 🥳
Ive been sleeping in a hammock full time for about 4 months now. I had a terribly infested matress from bed bugs and that traumatized me a bit. I recently upgraded to a double hammock which is super nice and I have a underquilt instead of a sleeping bag. I have this really nice stand that i leave up and just take the hammock off one of the hooks and bam more room space. The bed bug problem went away after getting rid of the bed and having someone like heat the house to kill all of them. Hammocks are super nice cause like i dont get back pain anymore and the gentle rocking puts me right to sleep.
To deal with the tightness on the legs, lower the head part of the hammock so its lower than the feet part.
I am 40 and just starting sleeping in a hammock a week ago. Everything you mentioned here is TRUE!!! I got a hammock out of the extreme frustration from the amount of $$$ spent on mattresses, frames, toppers and fancy pillows trying to fix my severe neck and back pain I was experiencing while sleeping on a traditional bed. All that is gone now!
I got rid of my bed 4 years ago and have been in a hammock since. My sleep is better. Zero back pain when I wake up. More restful sleep and I fall asleep faster. Best decision I've made for my sleep
I slept in a hammock after Hurricane Katrina. It was too hot to sleep in the house when the power went out. The hammock and stand can be moved outdoors when the power goes out.
This was super helpful. My biggest concern is being comfortable. So i’m excited to try your tips
Hope it worked out for you!
@@HappyLittleNightmares yes I have been fulltime hammock sleeping for a out 2 months and I absolutely love it. Best sleep ever and your tips were very helpful too!
thank u for ur tips annd service
My kids sleep in hammocks and love it. My daughter makes a nest of blankets in hers to sleep warm. One of my sons used to have a lot of pain in his back and joints and that was the primary reason for getting the hammocks. His behavior is so much better now and it is clear that he is not in so much pain anymore. I also have hammocks for my husband and myself, but we do like to snuggle, so we don't sleep in ours regularly. We use the stretchy Mayan-style hammocks rather than nylon hammocks. Do you find the nylon to be noisy when you shift? Sometimes I wish we could get hotel rooms with hammock stands instead of beds when traveling!
A hammock hanging family. Awesome! I got mine primarily for travel then my back problems cleared up and decided to do it permanently. I have not had any issues with Nylon noise, but then again I have moderate hearing loss. I also sleep like a log in my hammock so I probably wouldn’t notice either way. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
That's it I'm throwing the mattress away and everyone sleeping in hammocks
I discovered Hammocks in 2015 full time. Back is much better chiropractors are sad. I have a curved wood 12 ft stand, Walmart gathered end double. Light under quilt and top quilt. For outside I have an 11 ft Hennessy with bug net and homage stand. I am in the west desert where trees are scarce.
In 1987 I was in a severe car accident where my car flipped a few times so I've been going to the chiropractor. I was having severe back pain in 2015-2016 and so I got rid of my bed and replaced it with a hammock for a year and to this day I have never been back to the chiropractor!!! Now this year I'm thinking about going back to a hammock, because I I toss and turn and I can't sleep through the night on a mattress, the because there are no pressure points in a hammock I can sleep all through the night.
Thanks for this review, very informative! I've just got back from bike touring trip and I've used a lot of hammock there. Discovered I have no problems with my lower back while in hammock so why the heck not sleep like that all the time! Just bought same frame as yours hah ;)
That is funny I pretty much did the same thing only I was traveling and had my hammock hung in my van. Got back and was thought “ I don’t have the back pain I struggled with for years. Might as well try it full time and see what happens”. I think I’ll be sleeping in a hammock for the rest of my life. I hope it works out for you as well. Thank you for the comment!
Over 6 years in a hammock. I sleep in Brazilian style cloth.
If only my wife would buy into this.
Don’t think she would? lol. My wife and I both sleep in alternative style beds. She sleeps on a Japanese Shikobuton which is pretty much a foldable foam bed. She seems to sleep great in it, but I can’t stand it lol. Thank you for being my first sub btw.
Lol, is the same for me and my little sister, I sleep in a hammock and she sleeps her in a futon bed!
Best option when moving. That's why I prefer lawn furniture in my living room easier and cheaper to move. Nothing gets thrown away
I've been sleeping in my hammock for 4 years now full time. It's saved my ability to walk, what with the scatica. I shan't go back. My Grandmother spends $10,000 on a mattress for her back. Smh.
Oh, finally! I have been saying this to people that I hate when I have to sleep next to somebody. “but when you find your one true love, you want to sleep next to him/her” Well, nope! I don’t. Sleeping is very important. So I won’t care what my future partner will say about sharing a bed and sleeping together. Because it’s sooo overrated!
Do you have a hammock van video ? Set up etc?
I want to sleep in my hammock full time i tried last night but my head got cramped and i got a headache and had to go inside at midnight
Yes bro for life
So a couple of years ago i thought about switching to a hammock. But i has just bought a full size mattress so decided not to. Anywho after discovering a scorpion on my bed 2 nights ago I'm terrified of getting back on it. Long story short, we're at my parents place until i can find it. I just bought hammocks to use until i can fix the problem.
Thanks 😁
Been sleeping in a hammock for 6 years. I switch between a Simply lite design 10 foot gathered end hammock and a Hennessy Scout. I cannot sleep on a bed.
I am going to purchase one but do not know what type I should get. I am an over weight male. Could you recomed a type for that
Hey Adam!
I have been searching for indoor hammock information before decided on the drastic switch (although with hindsight, it makes complete sense - my camping nights in a hammock had been the best nights of sleep!) I plan to purchase a hammock and hardware to hook it up indoors. However I have no idea how to set up an anchor system through drywall. What do you recommend? Finding indoor hammock sleeping quarters info is tough!
Hey Elizabeth!
Great question. Coincidentally I too will be working on an anchor system for my own house within the next couple of months. I am not a structural engineer and have not looked into it fully yet, but here are some things to consider.
#1 - You are going to need to anchor to a stud, if you anchor to drywall you are going to just rip straight through the drywall. This means you are going to need a GOOD stud finder. Speaking from personal experience, the stud finders at the big box stores are not very good.
According to the Fine woodworking 2019 tool guide, they recommend the Franklin T6 amzn.to/2Tdgndt as the stud finder of choice which I will be purchasing myself specifically for this purpose.
Modern studs are only 1 1/2 thick so it is really important to make sure you are getting the anchor right in the middle of the stud or it could rip out of the wood. Depending on the thickness of the bolt vs the thickness of the stud it may make it impossible to screw a bolt into the stud.
#2 - You need to have good load bearing eye bolts that are rated to hold 3x the weight of the object you want the bolts to hold. This is load bearing weight, not shear strength.
#3 - If you have an old house as I do, you need to be concerned with whether or not the studs are going to be a failure point. I had problems in this 112 yr old house screwing into the studs for the floors where the screws over torqued and tore the fibers in the wood because they are just so old.
I personally may end up having to cut into the plaster walls and build a support system to reinforce the studs then repair the drywall to get my hammock setup going.
Whatever I do, I will make a video to show how I do it to give other ideas.
I hope this helps. Sleeping in a hammock has been a life changing experience and I highly recommend the plunge to anyone who will listen :D
Hello Elizabeth! Say hello to James And Kate O'Sullivan And Rhiannon!
@@HappyLittleNightmares : I used these from Amazon..."Ultimate Hammocks Hanging Kit Hammock Indoor Outdoor" link....
www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hammocks-Hanging-Hammock-Outdoor/dp/B015NRCYL2/ref=sr_1_24?keywords=rock+climbing+bolts&qid=1556130452&s=home-garden&sr=1-24
They are made for rock climbing, but are now used for hammocks. They are better then eye bolts because they transfer the load to the 2 x 4 directly instead of 2 inches away then pulling down with the torque of your weight. This torque is what will split the wood and begin a sag of your eye bolt, I know I tried that first. I also live in an older home (1915), the thing most people don't think about is that older homes have old growth wood (tight growth rings) this means your wood is much stronger than the fast growing, logged trees we now purchase at home improvement stores. Ours are actual 2 x 4's which gives a solid mount, and unlike floors and bottoms of windows there should be no water damage 5 - 6 feet up on a wall. Termites are a different beast, you know your area and home best. Hope this helps someone sleep more soundly.
Nice video
I love your channel are you still active?
Thank you so much for making this video. Very useful. I wanted to ask, does that set up with a stand makes noise when you turn or move in any way?
Great question. Since my hammock is nylon it has a nylon noise when you get in. If you shift it would make the noise ( I don’t move around in my hammock ). If you are a light sleeper you could go with a non synthetic hammock such as a Brazilian or a Rada and it would be perfectly quiet. The stand itself doesn’t make any noise.
You can look at them here: ptsdanddepression.com/hammock-bed-for-back-pain-better-rest/ For transparency, these are all affiliate links.
@@HappyLittleNightmares Thank you so much for your answer. Yes, i was more thinking about the stand making noise. I am looking at the Vivere one, which has a stand and a cotton hammock. I am still thinking, but if I decide then maybe you can make link to that one. I rather buy and you get the percentage than that it would go to waste. I am very thankful for the people who help others through their videos. :)
@@feltingme I checked out the Vivere one, and it looks almost identical to mine with a few exceptions.
It has a much nicer carrying case, and the hand bolts are a better shape; mine is an X and Vivere has a more circular pattern which could be less prone to breaking.
It looks like it has the same coating on the metal which I am sure helps with it being quiet.
It comes with the hammock?! Price seems in line or slightly under in terms of buying each separately.
From the pictures, it almost looks a little bit more compact, but without comparing both measurements, I can't say 100%.
Overall that seems like a good choice. If my stand broke and I wanted to upgrade my hammock, I would purchase that one for myself for sure.
I appreciate your offer to use my links. I enjoy helping others, I wish I enjoyed helping myself as much, but I am getting there. If you want to use my links just let me know, I'll make you one. :D
@@HappyLittleNightmares I found a review, where person bought cheaper one and then got Vivere for the spouse and said it seemed to be a bit sturdier, so i rather pay a bit more, and they have cotton hammock choice. Still thinking, but most likely will go for one. Yes, please, make a link. :)
Here you go! amzn.to/2RMbHtk
I haven't yet found a position that prevents my shoulders from being squeezed.
I'm also not sure if lying perpendicular in a hammock is a good thing.
I hope that the way you use the sleeping bag for a pillow helps.
That blanket-pillow trick worked, slept like a baby.
I e been wanting a hammock but I can’t decide whether or not to mount it to the wall or get a stand, to get one with spreaders (wooden beams) or not. Any advice?
i know this is 6 months late, but don't get one with spreaders! they are more prone to flipping and breaking and they aren't as comfortable
@@dantosinferne thank you
@@dantosinferne spreaders?
@@zacarino1827 the wooden spacer thingies for the ropes.
What do you recommend if it's really cold ? A sleeping bag or some blankets ?
Thanks !
Under quilt.
@@kato1kalin Good idea !
How is it when you get sweaty in the hammock with that material?
Sorry for the slow response. It is Nylon so it is breathable. The only thing I have really noticed is that it does hold oils from your skin if you expose your skin to it for long enough, but you can wash the hammock so it isn’t a big deal.
Any thoughts on why this is better for your back. My back is wreaked... I will try anything for some relief.
I think for me my back pain was stress related. Sleeping in a hammock helps me get better sleep because I am unable to toss and turn which has helped lower stress and let me muscles loosen..
I know that other people have reported less back pain as well, but it is hard to say that a hammock is going to cure your back pain.
Have you ever considered restorative yoga?
I had back pain from work and I don't think the hammock was helping the first night , but all I did was put a small jacket under my lower back to get the support I needed to heal correctly.
I still sleep in hammock for over 12 years every night!
They are just like our little caaaaccooons
I’ve slept in mine for over seven years!!!!!
I'm somewhat overweight... Do they make hammocks and hammock stands or frames for people like me?
I've been looking at hammocks and most seem to support something like 450-500 lbs
@@yippehanako Cool. I've heard they can be pretty good for the back; and they're simpler to make up and maintain than a regular bed. Japanese futons are supposed to be pretty good, too...
@@Gyarren my parents sleep on a futon forever and they like it
Too hard for me
@@hirondelle8734 Thanks!❤❤❤
I sleep by myself too
she snores loud
I love the whole ending of not sleeping together. I hated sleeping with another person in my bed. It’s just not comfortable. I’m low key self aware while I’m sleeping that there is someone else there, and then I have to worry about taking the sheets, distributing warmth, snoring, nightmares, and etc.
Day 6 of commenting on every video I watch
Agreed. Sleeping together is overrated.
mmmmmmm ham cok
Bet your wife left you ~