Mexican Hammocks

So it’s around that time of year again where we start to feel winter setting in, and mourn a passing summer.

It’s also around this time when I bring in my hammock from outside, and put it in my bedroom.

Hammock setup for winter.

Winter obviously isn’t the best time to use your hammock.. but then again you still need some relaxation time over the colder months. If you do have a sheltered spot outside this is a great way to relax and get some fresh air. Rug yourself up nice and warm and just sway away. Maybe you have sun room that is lovely in warm with the winter sun pouring in. What a great spot.

If you don’t intend to bring in your hammock over winter, you are definitely likely to shorten the life of your hammock. A hammock needs adequate protection from the elements to ensure a long life. Especially over the harsh winters. If the hammock gets wet and doesn’t properly dry this can lead to fading, rotting and mold or water damage over long periods of time.  An option to protect it though is with an outdoor hammock cover

Hammock Protection

This simply and easily slides over the hammock to protect the hammock from the weather.  If you don’t plan on using it over this time, then bring it inside, and pop somewhere dry for storage, ready to bring back out the following spring.  An easy way to do this is to simply place your hammock into a pillow case or fold in as it was received – see this post for how to fold your hammock. Another method is tying the hammock in one or two big knots as shown in the image. Don’t make it tight and handle gently by the loops.

I’m kind of stealing someone else’s work this week.  As I was looking at various things I came across this question on the Yahoo question boards – http://au.answers.yahoo.com.  I though it was quite interesting, not something I had really thought about previously but made me wonder.

“People use a blanket throughout the seasons, hot and cold, rainy and sunny days. OK firstly why do we need blanket to sleep? we can sleep without a blanket, can we? when people walk around they don’t have blankets or when they go out, why only when sleeping, we need blankets?”

And this was the best answer;

“First of all not everybody does use a blanket! But as a matter of fact during the night when you go in to deep sleep which is called REM ( rapid eye movement) your body goes into a real automatic pilot mode, your metabolism rate is very low, breath rate is low as well as body temperature! During this time you would tend to feel the need for cover if you ever would, the catch is of course you are totally absolutely unaware of this at this time! But if you would happen to awaken from this state you would tend to feel chilled or at least cool! You would at least want a sheet , a pillow , another warm body or something put on top of you!”

And a slightly simpler answer.“Because you are not using energy to keep you warm, a blanket will help regulate the heat.”

There you go in case you ever wondered.  Anyone else have a better explanation?

Enjoy the long weekend everyone, take it easy.

Mike

www.hammocksonline.co.nz

www.hammocksaustralia.com.au