hammock sleeping fail....

[Monkeyboy42]

I've never slept in my hammock at home. I've done lots of afternoon relaxing, but no over night sleep, so I don't know how it would go. That said I even have trouble sleeping in my bed at games.

Now, I have used both of my hammocks backpacking and canoeing. I've never had trouble sleeping in them - unlike a tent. I am so tired after a day out that I have no trouble sleeping ini it.

My suggestion is take one out for an overnight trip and see how it sleeps.

Also +1 to a bigger hammock! My first was a 10' Hennessy clone. My second is an 11' gathered end. The longer is more comfy! I don't think could sleep in my friends Eno...

I'm about to build a WBBB clone for the wife. I'm curious how comfy it will be. She requires an integrated net, because the open bottom of my fronkey freaks her out, so I figured why not...

[jdenkevitz]

My first night trying to sleep in a hammock I kept having dreams that someone was grabbing the hammock and spinning me around. was unsettling.

I also found a longer hammock (12 foot) to be much more comfortable to sleep in than my original ENO DN.

[FJRpilot]

Ear plugs and 2 Benadryl..... While I don't need either when out camping, in the back yard it's the only way I can sleep.. Dogs barking, TV's in the neighbors homes with windows open, sirens... Way to noisy... Also, the stupid birds wake me up at 5am....

[Les Rust]

I had some of the same experience. Apart from getting the hang right, I, too, found ear plugs helpful to block out the noises that came with sleeping in the backyard. Even in a small town there is something going on all night long it seems. I, too, suffer from monkey brain--that phenomenon where my mind goes from one thing to the next without any apparent transition--like a monkey swinging from one vine to the next.
The good news is that it keeps coming easier. After finding the sweet spot for the night, I usually am surprised to wake up in the morning refreshed and relaxed. One night up in the Smokies I had been up and down several times before midnight--then the next thing I know it's 7:30 in the morning and I've slept longer than normal.

[Twokag]

..... Also, the stupid birds wake me up at 5am....

That made me smile. In my area of central TX when the sun goes down the woods come alive and it sounds like the jungle. frogs, cicadas coyotes, but the loudest and most disturbing to sleep for me are the whippoorwills. If they keep a continuous song it can be rhythmic, when they start and stop it is not restful.

[RkyMtnChkwgn]

I agree with all the points of the above posts but one thing I didn't hear mentioned is the importance of the proper sized pillow. The same thickness of a bed pillow used in bed won't cut it in a hammock. Because the head is already higher than the shoulder, using a thick pillow raises the head too much. I use a real small, soft, squishy micro-bead neck pillow that just supports my neck and my head is still resting on the hammock. I suppose it's takes up the same volume in my pack as a small grapefruit but I consider it to be another key component to a good nights sleep and I wouldn't go without it.

[juskojj]

i'll have to try a different pillow, being really tired, maybe a longer hammock, ear plugs, and starting with a nap or just relaxing and reading a book to get more used to it and condition my brain it's "ok"

thanks again for all the suggestions!

[albertoes]

Okay, speaking of pillows, do any of you find that you have to add a pillow to your low back (lumbar region) for back support? I'll probably start a new thread on this, but it's relevant to this discussion.

[kormi]

10.5 or 11' length hammock for sure. Sleep Diagonal with feet 6" above the head if at all possible. Works for me. No ear plugs for me... i like to fall asleep to the noises. Dog sleeps with me or just below me... he snores... puts me right to sleep.... I try to hang in the backyard almost every weekend.