National Hammock Day

Did you know that July 22nd is National Hammock Day? Not only this year. Every year!

As hammocking habitúes, Susan and I of consider EVERY day a hammock day. Well, not every day. Let’s say April through October?

Is National Hammock Day Real?!?!

What exactly is National Hammock Day?

National Hammock Day is celebrated every year on July 22 to commemorate the universal symbol for relaxation. Developed by the Mayans of Central and South America for sleeping or resting, a hammock is a sling made of fabric, rope or netting, which is suspended between two points such as posts or trees… [Early] hammocks were made from the woven bark from the Hamack Tree — hence “hamacas”. Today the hammock is often seen as a symbol of summer, leisure, relaxation, and simple, easy living.

(Source: National Today)

I’m not confident that this historic abstract is 100% accurate, so I’ll defer to the expertise of others. But dedicating July 22 every year to a symbol that soothes the mind (just thinking about it or looking at an image) and soothes the body (when suspending our limbs in a gently swinging “cradle” between two trees) is totally aligned with our Rosslyn lifestyle.

Hammocking 101

As I opined recently, “hammocking recalibrates and encourages wonder.” Unwinding. Rebooting. Whimsical mind wandering…

Hammock day reminds us to slow down, breathe easy, and enjoy these beautiful summer months. Find two points, string up a hammock, and just relax!.

(Source: Happy Days 365)

Sounds about right. Whether a book, newspaper, magazine, tablet, or just a pillow, give hammocking a try. Perhaps with a little music?

Hammock Playlist

Celebrate National Hammock Day with your favorite hammocking tunes. If you need some inspiration, jumpstart your R&R soundtrack with these suggestions.

Fire up a playlist of songs that are inspired by hammock-related things such as relaxation, island themes and enjoying the outdoors. Start with these songs and come up with a list of others to add:

• The Hammock Song (2014) by David Cline. This fun song has all of the fun road-trip and hammock sleeping vibes a person could want!
• The Island Song (2017) by Seven Less Shadows. Sure, the hammock only gets one mention, but the whole song is about friendship and ocean breezes.
• Swingin’ on a Hammock (1930) Kate Smith. A classic ode to the joy and beauty of sharing a hammock with a loved one.
• Hammock (2014) by Tyler Sjöström. A bluegrass vibe comes from this lighthearted song dedicated to spending time in a “hammock all day”.

(Source: Days Of The Year)

Enjoy your National Hammock Day. Alone, with a loved one, or with friends, you choose. But take a moment — or an hour! — to soothe your soul and bones in a gently swinging cocoon. We are!