All About Hammocks
Lifestyle
The hammock is an iconic symbol of relaxation and summertime leisure. Originally created by native people throughout the Americas, the hammock’s efficient design has been adopted by people all over the world, whether they’re relaxing at home, camping in the wilderness, or even exploring the cosmos.
The word hammock comes from the Spanish root word -maka, meaning “stretch of cloth.” Hammocks were essential in ancient native cultures for helping people sleep above the ground to avoid insects, snake bites and disease. Early hammocks were woven out of tree bark, and later transitioned to more abundant sisal fibers or palm fronds, depending on the maker’s location. Europeans adopted the design aboard naval ships for more economical use of tight space and to protect sailors from falling out of wooden bunks during rough seas. These simple fabric beds are so versatile, astronauts aboard Apollo lunar expeditions used them to avoid sleeping on the cold cabin floor of the space shuttles.
Today, hammocks remain an important part of the artisanal culture throughout South America. In fact, the municipality of Concepción Quezaltepeque in El Salvador celebrates a traditional Hammocks Festival every November, where artisans produce and sell hand-woven hammocks.
The Hammock’s Origins
There are several unique features of a hammock that help you wake up rested and restored, whether using them for an afternoon nap or a full night’s sleep. Here are just a few health benefits of hammocks that people have noticed:
- Hammocks relieve pressure points, so there’s no wrong sleeping position. This is why switching to a hammock at night has been known to help people relieve chronic pain.
- The gentle sway of a hammock provides a soothing movement that helps rock you to sleep like a baby. Even when you’re not sleeping, this easy motion can help relieve stress—another great health benefit.
- People tend to fall asleep faster and enjoy a deeper sleep in a hammock, which leads to more hours of quality rest. Hammocks have even been credited with reducing insomnia. We know that getting sufficient sleep is associated with a variety of physical and mental health benefits, including increasing metabolism and immunity, while reducing risk of chronic disease.
Health Benefits of Hammocks
Building on centuries of hammock tradition, Tuuci’s Air Lounge with Wave Stand takes luxurious comfort of hammock swinging to the next level. The unique design of our sculptural base utilizes bending techniques common to the maritime industry and allows loungers to float easily on the breeze. The hammock’s breathable, sun-resistant mesh fabric is engineered to keep you cool and comfortable. Like all Tuuci products, the Air Lounge and Wave Stand are constructed with marine grade wood and metal components to provide years of uninterrupted relaxation.
Tuuci customers enjoy their Air Lounges on sunporches, docks, boat decks and poolside patios. Wherever you decide to lounge in the shade, we know you’ll enjoy carrying on the timeless tradition of hammock swinging. National Hammock Day is celebrated every year on July 22, making this a great time to add a Tuuci Air Lounge to your summer to-do list.