Officially sanctioned laziness
National Hammock Day falls on July 22, in the heart of summer, and it may be the most honest holiday on the calendar. Its entire purpose is to get you to lie down between two trees and do absolutely nothing. The hammock is an old idea, used for centuries in warm climates for sleeping and resting off the ground, and modern lightweight versions have made it a staple of backyards, porches, and backpacking trips alike.
There is real value in scheduled rest. A hammock makes doing nothing feel intentional rather than guilty, which is exactly the point of the day.
Hang it safely
A good hang is the difference between bliss and a sudden drop. Look for two sturdy, living trees roughly twelve to fifteen feet apart, and use wide tree straps rather than rope, since wide straps protect the bark and hold securely. Aim to hang the straps a bit higher than you think, because the hammock will sag under your weight. The old guideline is a gentle curve, not a tight straight line, with the low point sitting about chair height off the ground.
Get in carefully by sitting in the center first, then swinging your legs up. Lying slightly diagonally, rather than straight along the middle, gives you a surprisingly flat and comfortable position.
No trees required
If your yard has no convenient pair of trees, a freestanding hammock stand solves the problem and lets you set up on a patio or lawn anywhere. For camping, a lightweight nylon hammock packs down smaller than a water bottle and keeps you off cold, damp ground. Just add a bug net in mosquito season and an underquilt or pad if the night turns cool, since the open air beneath you can get surprisingly chilly.
A hammock turns doing nothing into something you look forward to.
Once it is hung, the rest is easy. Bring a book you have been meaning to finish, a cold drink, and maybe a light blanket, then let the gentle sway do its work. Most people find the slow rocking genuinely relaxing and easy to fall asleep in, and an hour in a hammock can leave you more rested than a much longer nap indoors. On July 22, string one up in the shade, climb in, and give yourself full permission to accomplish nothing at all for an afternoon.
How to celebrate
- 1Hang it safely
Use two sturdy living trees about twelve to fifteen feet apart, and wrap them with wide tree straps rather than rope to protect the bark. Hang the straps higher than you think, since the hammock will sag under your weight. Aim for a gentle curve, not a tight straight line.
- 2Get in the right way
Sit in the center first, then swing your legs up rather than diving in from the end. Lie slightly diagonally instead of straight down the middle for a surprisingly flat, comfortable position. Take it slow the first time until you trust the setup.
- 3No trees, no problem
A freestanding hammock stand lets you set up on a patio or lawn with no trees at all. For camping, a lightweight nylon hammock packs down smaller than a water bottle and keeps you off the cold ground. Add a bug net in mosquito season for peace of mind.
- 4Settle in and do nothing
Bring a book, a cold drink, and maybe a light blanket, then let the gentle sway do its work. The slow rocking is genuinely relaxing and easy to doze off in. The whole point of the day is to accomplish absolutely nothing for a while.