41–50 of 78 posts
A lot of long distance through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail here in the Eastern US use hammocks instead of tents. They're gotten a lot more popular due to the "lightweight" craze in backpacking (trying to shave every ounce off your full pack weight) and set up/break down a lot faster.
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It seems that the main focus of the article is on the difference in brain activity, not the sleep time. I would imagine that the time to sleep is not as important as the quality of the sleep thus attained.
The journal article indicates that the rocked subjects went from a waking state to deeper states of sleep quicker than than those non-rocked... So that should yield a time savings.
Daunted by the cost of a mattress bed and the idea of hauling it up my fifth-floor walkup in Manhattan, I opted for an indoor hammock instead. It's been the best sleeping experience I've ever had. I used to get lower back problems when sleeping on a mattress that have disappeared since sleeping in the hammock. There are no real pressure points and it supports your body perfectly. blhack mentioned that hammocks get co…
If you want to avoid back problems with a mattress, sleep on your back and put pillows under your knees. That causes your spine to be straight, and voila, no more pressure points. (If you're vain it is worth noting that if you sleep on part of your face, every night for your life, you will get wrinkles there much faster. Therefore sleeping on your back will keep you looking better, longer.)
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I agree, and as such this article leaves my main question unanswered: with a bed that rocks (or a hammock), could I get the same amount of rest in less time? In other words, what is the ratio of sleeping hours in a non-moving bed to a rocking-bed?
> could I get the same amount of rest in less time? I'm dubious of anything that claims to pull this off. My own failed attempts have convinced me that sleep is not something that can be lifehacked. There is some variation in sleep requirements between individuals, but you and I each have a number (probably ~8 hours) below which our bodies start getting cranky. There are loads of studies showing that any form of slee…
I've been sleeping in a hammock every night for a little over a year now. Hammocks are cold, that is the biggest problem. You also can't really just flop down on one and lounge out the same way that you can in a bed. From a totally utilitarian standpoint of "place for sleeping", a hammock has some benefits. It's small, it's highly portable (mine fits in my backpack), and it is pretty comfortable. In reality, though,…
As an fyi...to get around the cold, put a fleece blanket on the bottom (underneath you) first. Totally changes things. In fact you might overheat if it's doubled up...
I slept in a hammock for a while in a cramped basement apartment; it was one of those cheap nylon mesh ones, but really comfortable. Until the gentle rocking motion wore through several of the nylon cords and dumped me on the concrete floor one night. Worse, I knew from rock climbing that nylon rubbing on nylon wears ropes out really quickly, but it never occurred to me to apply that to the hammock until after.
I really want a hammock in my (small) office. Any great options?
I've been sleeping in a hammock every night for a little over a year now. Hammocks are cold, that is the biggest problem. You also can't really just flop down on one and lounge out the same way that you can in a bed. From a totally utilitarian standpoint of "place for sleeping", a hammock has some benefits. It's small, it's highly portable (mine fits in my backpack), and it is pretty comfortable. In reality, though,…
May I ask why you've been sleeping on a hammock?
Basically, by intentionally depriving myself of something, it stops being "normal" and becomes a luxury. I was at my parents' house for Christmas in December, and felt like I was at a 5 star hotel.
I've done similar "hacks" to my diet. I did a month where I ate nothing but rice and beans (a very very healthy dish, actually). The first week or so when I was finished with the experiment, everything I ate tasted amazing.
The car that I drive is fairly beat up; I drove my sister's car to San Diego a few months ago, and I might as well have been driving a Bentley. A CD player? I can listen to whatever music I want!? It doesn't rattle when I go over 55?!? I can hold a conversation inside without having to yell?? etc. etc.
Silly, I know, but effective.
I really want a hammock in my (small) office. Any great options?
It all started by accident when we moved bachelor-house and a grass mat was the only available sleeping spot left at 2am.
Benefits:
- Insulated from cold floor - never gets too hot or too cold.
- Keeps my spine fit; I've never had a better back in my life.
- Feels really secure - That may have more to do with me being a 250lb fat guy.
- Freedom to toss and turn as much as you want without worrying about whats happening beneath you.
- You can literally crash onto the mat with your day's exhaustion and nothing will break. I've mastered the art of falling into it without breaking bones.
The hammock sounds positively uncomfortable and terrifying from where I'm coming from.
I've been sleeping in a hammock every night for a little over a year now. Hammocks are cold, that is the biggest problem. You also can't really just flop down on one and lounge out the same way that you can in a bed. From a totally utilitarian standpoint of "place for sleeping", a hammock has some benefits. It's small, it's highly portable (mine fits in my backpack), and it is pretty comfortable. In reality, though,…