Swing Into Summer: Why Hammocks Deserve Their Own Day

I was so surprised to find out there is a whole day dedicated to the hammock. My mind immediately went to, “Why?” Why is there a day for celebrating hammocks? What makes them so important that someone went through the trouble of getting a national day set aside just for them? Who would go to all that work? Well, my curiosity got the best of me, and I just had to know.

According to National Today (https://nationaltoday.com/national-hammock-day), National Hammock Day is celebrated every year on July 22 as a way to honor the universal symbol of relaxation.

As I kept researching, I learned that hammocks can be traced back to the Mayans of Central and South America, where they were originally used for sleeping. Technically, a hammock is a sling made from fabric, rope, netting, or mesh that is suspended between two points, like trees or posts. Early hammocks were often woven from bark or plant fibers, and over time they went from being a sleeping necessity to the ultimate symbol of summer and relaxation.

The hammock gets its name from the Taíno word “hamaca.” Christopher Columbus encountered hammocks in 1492 in the Bahamas, where he saw people sleeping in nets anchored between trees. He brought the idea back to Europe, and sailors later began using hammocks because sleeping while gently swinging in the air was much better than sleeping on the hard, dirty ship floor.

And, of course, there are some pretty huge hammocks out there. One famous oversized hammock in Point Harbor, North Carolina, stretched 42 feet long and was made with thousands of feet of rope.

Then there is the extreme side of hammocks: one giant “space net” hammock was suspended hundreds of feet above a canyon near Moab, Utah. That is definitely not the afternoon nap spot for me, but it is amazing to see how far people will take the love of hammocks.

My Favorite Hammock Finds

If you are feeling inspired to celebrate National Hammock Day yourself, here are a few hammock-related finds that would make relaxing a whole lot easier.

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Best for camping: A lightweight hammock is perfect for tossing in with your camping gear, setting up between two trees, and enjoying a quiet place to rest after a long day outdoors. Shop the camping hammock here.

Best for a kid’s room: This is such a fun way to add a cozy little reading nook, quiet space, or playful corner to a child’s room. Shop the kid’s room hammock here.

Best for the backyard: If you do not have two perfectly spaced trees, a hammock with a stand makes it easy to create your own relaxing spot on the porch, patio, or in the yard. Shop the backyard hammock with stand here.

Favorite hammock-themed T-shirt: And because sometimes you need the outfit to match the mood, this hammock-themed shirt is a fun little extra for anyone who fully supports the art of relaxing. Shop the hammock T-shirt here.

So grab a glass of ice-cold tea, find a little afternoon sunshine, and stretch out in your hammock in celebration of National Hammock Day.

Until next time,