IS ‘HAMMOCKING’ A BETTER WAY TO SLEEP?
(Theoretical) Benefits of Sleeping While Swinging
Hammocking has become a popular leisure activity within the last 5–10 years, with the global hammock market growing about 17% between 2017 and 2021. As fun as it is, though, could hammocking be more than that? Could it be a better way to sleep, not just on camping trips or in the park, but in our homes, too? The short answer is that the data is inconclusive. More studies need to be done on the health benefits of sleeping in hammocks, and the studies that do exist lack sufficient sample sizes for meaningful conclusions. With that massive caveat out of the way, however, here are a few potential benefits of sleeping in a hammock. Protection From Bugs This benefit really only matters if you’re sleeping outdoors (though, in theory, sleeping in a hammock could mean a decreased risk of dust mites). If you sleep on the ground, bugs will have easier access to you. Flying insects can still bother hammockers, but a good bug net for your hammock can fix that problem.
Pressure Point Relief A good mattress can reduce pressure on the shoulders, back, and butt, while a bad mattress can do the opposite. Some hammock advocates claim that a hammock’s more flexible surface means pressure is spread more equally across all parts of the body. However, this benefit is purely theoretical and more study is needed to confirm the hypothesis. Deeper Sleep According to a study from 2011 where 12 men took two 45-minute naps — one in a regular bed and one in a swinging bed — results showed the men fell asleep faster in the swinging bed and that they had a longer light sleep before they entered a deep sleep. However, because the size of this study was so small, its conclusions need more verification. Until more data emerges to confirm what so many hammock enthusiasts already claim to know, you can still rest knowing that hammocking isn’t harmful; in fact, it’s really relaxing and fun.
THE BENEFITS OF SWIMMING LET’S HIT THE POOL!
3. It’s great for people with pain, injuries, and other health conditions. The pool helps take pressure from many points within your body. This means that people dealing with an injury or a condition like arthritis can benefit from swimming as well. You can swim at your own pace and even alleviate some of the pain or discomfort in the process. The benefits don’t end there, but these are some of the big ones. If you’re looking for a place to cool off, here are a few local pools to choose from: Greenfield Pool GilbertAZ.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/aquatics/greenfield-pool Williams Field Pool GilbertAZ.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/aquatics/williams-field-pool Skyline Aquatic Center MesaParks.com/parks-facilities/pools/skyline Brimhall Aquatic Complex MesaParks.com/parks-facilities/pools/brimhall Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center ChandlerAZ.gov/explore/chandler-aquatics Just be sure to visit their respective websites for hours and for any COVID-19 restrictions that may be in place — and have fun, stay safe, and stay cool!
As summer takes over Arizona, a lot of people will temporarily say goodbye as they depart for milder climates. But for those
of us who stay year-round, we’ll be looking for ways to beat the heat. While many people will be staying indoors, others will be thinking about hitting the pool — and swimming is one activity that comes with a number of benefits. Here are just a few. 1. It’s a great way to cool down! Hitting the pool is a great way to stay active in the heat, without worrying about overheating. The water helps to keep you cool while you swim or play. Just remember to wear plenty of sunscreen
if the pool isn’t shaded (and if the pool isn’t shaded, don’t stay in the sun for more than about 20 minutes at a time). Take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water — remember, you might not feel like you’re sweating in the pool, but you are! 2. It’s a full-body workout. When you’re swimming, it’s easy to move nearly all of your body, from your feet up to your shoulders and neck. You can swim with a planned routine (such as incorporating strokes into your swim, like the breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, etc.) or you can freestyle it and swim how you want. Either way, your whole body will benefit.
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