The soothing and spiritual benefits of hammocks were evident already 1000 years ago. Indeed it is most likely that hammocks had their entrance onto the stage of indoor and outdoor furniture around this time in the forests of Central America among the Mayan Indians. Most texts attribute the introduction of the hammock into European society to Christopher Columbus; hammocks gained popularity in North America in the late 1800s.
The benefits of the hammock for the Mayans were many. The open hammock weaving required minimal maintenance and provided an excellent temperature exchange, crucial in the Central American rainforests. Furthermore, insects and pests that attempted to get onto the hammock would fall through the holes, so the hammock was hygienic as well. A hammock swing is not only soothing and relaxing but also creates an air cooling effect, another crucial characteristic in hot and humid circumstances. A hammock gives the feeling of weightlessness because it distributes the weight of your body evenly. And lastly, the Mayans often had to change camps on hunting or foraging trips; hammocks could easily be folded up and transported without adding excess weight on the travelers.
While these classic Mayan hammocks remain the purest and most comfortable form of hammock, this piece of furniture has evolved as it has crept into the hearts and homes of the rest of the world. Today, there are many styles, shapes and sizes of hammocks. Indeed, even if you don’t have the perfect spot to mount your hammock, there are a number of hammock accessories, like mounting stands, available to solve the problem which themselves come in different styles to match the décor of your home or garden.
There are three main types of hammocks: string, rope and fabric. The string hammock is also known as the Mayan hammock; this is original Mayan design (with a few modern touches), woven in a web to provide maximum comfort. This is the model that provides you with a cradling and ventilation effect. A Mayan hammock can be a cotton hammock, a thick string cotton one or a nylon hammock. Cotton is soft and comfortable, molding itself to your body, but it is not very durable; thick string cotton is the most durable of these three materials and it is also incredibly strong, capable of holding your entire family. Nylon’s durability and strength lie in between, giving you a sturdy yet smooth comfort.
The type that most people think of when they hear the word hammock is the rope hammock, made of cotton or polypropylene. These are most likely the most durable types of hammock and so they’ll be providing you with a substantial amount of relaxation. They don’t give the same “sinking in” effect as other hammocks, but you’ll be comfortable all the same.
Lastly, fabric hammocks are available with or without spreader bars; the former type does not conform well to the body’s contours and so are not incredibly comfortable. These hammocks have quite a long history as well, having originated in Brazil. Fabric hammocks used by Europeans were the least hygienic of the hammock types, as moisture and heat were trapped in the fabric; today, though, the weaving and materials used in the Brazilian, or banana, hammock, which allow these hammocks to breathe, are being used and, what’s more, synthetic fabrics have been created to address this issue, creating much more refreshing and comfortable hammocks. With the advances in fabric materials, fabric hammocks are becoming more and more popular.
A quilted hammock offers the advantages of comfort, not leaving the classic criss-cross imprint on your skin, and the absence of holes through which children love to stick body parts. You are also able to choose an interesting hammock pattern or design. If you’re going for comfort, choose a cotton hammock, though if durability and fade resistance are important to you, either nylon or polyester should be your choice. Even with modern advances, though, a fabric hammock lacks the ventilation characteristic of a rope hammock, and can get uncomfortable in hot climates.
The characteristics of hammocks have given them such versatility that they can be used in a variety of settings. There are camping hammocks that are easily portable, lightweight, and keep you off the ground away from animals and uncomfortable rocks. Make sure you purchase a removable mosquito net and a removable hammock cover; these accessories will protect you from bugs and rain. Another type of portable hammock is the folding hammock chair, consisting of a piece of fabric stretched across a collapsible frame. There are even free plans on the Internet to teach you how to make a hammock. Whatever style of hammock you choose, get some comfortable hammock pillows and revel in the relaxation!
