So now its official, gently rocking yourself to sleep will help you doze off quicker and you will fall into a deeper more restful sleep faster. Those of us who use a hammock as a bed have known this for quite some time but thanks to this study it’s now official, gently rocking yourself to sleep will provide you with a more restful nights rest.

Here is how those smart Swiss scientists figured it out

They began with a group of 12 male volunteers (Any job that you can take a nap on has to be a good one right!) each was asked to take a nap on a custom made hammock bed that could rock gently or remain motionless, depending on the test. Each candidate took 2 naps, one while the hammock bed was rocking and the other while it was motionless.

Each volunteer’s brain waves were monitored through each of the 2 naps and once the results were in the evidence was conclusive. Not only did each of the volunteers sleep better while there were gently rocking in the hammock bed, but they feel asleep faster and were more refreshed when the woke up.

“We observed a faster transition to sleep in each and every subject in the swinging condition,” researcher Michel Mühlethaler, also from the University of Geneva, says in the release. “Surprisingly, we also observed a dramatic boosting of certain types of sleep-related [brain wave] oscillations.”

If this hasn’t convinced you to replace your bed with a hammock, they also found some other advantages which might just convince you.  The study also showed that sleeping in a rocking hammock  also increases a brain activity known as sleep spindles, ok I’m not sure exactly what they are but the study says that they are normally associated with deep sleep and memory consolidation.

More good news from this study also suggests that sleeping in a hammock will mean you will fall into a deeper sleep sooner.

The scientists were so impressed that they have now begun to look at using a hammock to cure certain sleep disorders.

And one last thing to consider if you want to swap your bed for a hammock, 8 out of the 12 said that sleeping in a hammock was more pleasant than their bed.

So there you have it, scientific proof that a hammock will give you a better nights sleep.

If hammocks can provide such superior quality sleep, then the question arises whether this non-traditional sleeping equipment can replace the ubiquitous bed in the bedroom. A hammock hanging in the bed would transform the bedroom into an unconventional one with a hammock hanging from hooks or placed on a stand. Such a drastic measure may be taken by individuals suffering from back problems who may have found relief lying in a hammock or those suffering from insomnia or sleep disorders finding that they manage to drift into sleep while lying in a hammock, something hours of lying in beds do not enable them to.



The following advantages of hammocks make them score over beds in the bedroom:
•    Hammocks are very relaxing for the back and help to soothe a fatigued back with the support they provide
•    Hammocks mold themselves to the body shape in a manner no bed can.
•    Hammocks are recommended by doctors for people having orthopedic problems
•    They are ideal for people with sleep disorders since their swaying motion helps them fall off asleep
•    Hammocks take less space and leave floor space free
•    Hammocks are safe as beds for children since the child cannot fall out of a hammock
•    Hammocks are a low cost alternative to beds
•    They are easy to put up and remove and therefore allow the room to be used for multiple tasks, as a bedroom in the evening and night and as a workroom or office during the day.
•    Hammocks help people with acid reflux in the digestive tract who cannot lie down on beds for two hours. Hammocks provide them with comfort and they feel better.

The only disadvantage of having a hammock is the unconventional appearance of the bedroom since they are hung from poles or fixed on stands or suspended from the ceiling. This is too insignificant a reason to not use a hammock instead of a bed especially when the benefits of the hammock are weighed. A hammock in the bedroom may just transform the quality of life and health of people who opt for them to sleep in at night.

Hammocks can be placed anywhere inside a house. Some may not wish to spoil a formal living room and have it look different with a hammock and may instead choose to hang it in the family room or even a study. Placed in the study, the hammock will be the perfect place to read a book instead of sitting upright in a chair. Covered verandahs or glass enclosures anywhere in the house would be the ideal location for a hammock. The benefit here being that resting in the hammock with an exposure to nature is particularly rejuvenating.

Mexico is one place famous for its hammocks where hammocks form an essential accessory for every home. In fact, every Mexican home till recently, was found to have permanent hooks on opposite sides of walls to hang hammocks. Entire families have been brought up in hammocks and babies always placed in hammocks not just for the comfort they get but also for safety reasons, since babies could fall off a bed more easily.

Before buying a hammock for indoors, a few points have to be considered in order to get the most suitable hammock and its accessories. Firstly, the space available for the hammock will determine the size of the hammock that can be hung. Secondly, homeowners need to check if wall mounting would be suitable or hanging it from the ceiling is possible. If both these are not possible, then a hammock can be purchased with a stand of its own.

The next question is about the type of hammock to buy. While a strong and durable hammock may not be necessary since it is unlikely to be exposed to the forces of nature like rain and sun, a tough looking hammock may also not look appealing indoors. The choices for indoor hammocks vary but Nicaraguan hammocks would look beautiful as they can be woven in bright colors of cotton cord. Mayan hammocks are also a great choice with their bright colors, attractive designs, distinctive shape without spreader bars, and an accessory that can substitute for a bed since Mayan hammocks are amongst the few hammock varieties that make the best beds.

Another appealing option is the Brazilian hammock with its tight weave that makes it appear like canvas capable of wrapping itself around the occupant’s body, and its softness adding to the joy of lying in it. Besides, they are low maintenance products that can be hung once and forgotten about, unlike the more delicate varieties of hammocks.

Hammocks can take the place of a bed in a bedroom, a couch in the living room and a place of relaxation in any part of the house. Hammocks look particularly appealing in a patio or verandah, in a balcony or a covered terrace. They add color to every place as most hammocks are woven in warm, vibrant colors or can be custom made to match the colors of the décor. In short, hammocks can transform indoors just as much as much as they make the outdoors appealing.