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 buttocks, 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. (THEORETICAL) BENEFITS OF SLEEPING WHILE SWINGING Is ‘Hammocking’ a Better Way to Sleep?
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WHY FLOSSING CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Would you eat off a plate that was 40% dirty? Probably not! But did you know that brushing your teeth only reaches about 60% of each tooth?
That leaves 40% of each tooth unclean. When you don’t floss, the food left between your teeth provides a buffet of treats for the bacteria in your mouth. Why does this matter? Because 6 billion bacteria are living in your mouth, and they are ALWAYS hungry! HOW YOUR DIET AFFECTS ORAL HYGIENE Bacteria’s favorite foods include carbs — like bread, pasta, cereal, and generally anything sweet or sticky. Bacteria’s favorite activities include snacking on the food you kindly leave in between your teeth, reproducing, creating a home (plaque), and dropping acid on your teeth and gums, causing infection and bleeding. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN INFECTION STARTS? Your body will try to heal this bacterial infection by starting the inflammation process (basically sending a bunch of helpful cells to the infected area to do battle). This inflammation causes your gums to get thicker and bleed more. Now, with your gums inflamed and bleeding, it’s even easier for food to get stuck between your teeth and for bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Plenty of studies cite oral bacteria entering the bloodstream as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. And if the body is trying to fight a powerful infection in your mouth, your immune system is compromised. TIPS FOR FLOSSING Flossing and brushing are about continuously creating a food and housing shortage for the bacteria in your mouth. Studies show that flossing first allows you to break up plaque for brushing to remove and also allows more fluoride between your teeth while brushing. Ultimately, consistency is key! Be brave! If you haven’t flossed recently, your gums may feel sore or bleed. But don’t worry, as with any habit, it will get easier and more comfortable with time. Best of all, your now- healthier gums will start to feel better as the inflammation decreases.
Check out ATownDental.com for more dental tips!
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