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Hammock Therapy

K

_Kim_

Guest
Q4277-FS-1..jpg

On Saturday, the weather was nice and I wanted to spend time on my deck. But all I had out there were some wrought iron patio chairs. Not comfy. I looked in envy at my downstairs neighbors' hammock and decided then and there that I had to have one. With the wonders of the internet, I found a deal on a quilted hammock with stand, free shipping plus a 10% off coupon that I found on one of those deal websites - total = $180 :D

Then I woke up on Sunday and thought: WTF have I done? 180 bucks on a hammock? And will it fit? I checked the item description and, uh-oh, the stand is :eek: 15 feet long!! A quick measurement outside calmed my fears. The space I have for it is 15 feet, 3 inches long. Just made it. Whew.

In rapid fashion, my hammock arrived today in two large boxes that I wrestled up to my second floor apartment. Assembly was a matter of clicking a few poles into place and in no time, I was laying in the sun, head and feet slightly elevated, with gentle breezes (and tree bud debris) blowing upon me. Heaven.

I haven't been able to play guitar much since I got sick. The cognitive issues, the muscle tension, the discomfort of sitting up - who knows what else has made it so challenging, but alas, I had all but given up. But what if I played laying down? In the hammock? It worked!!! The hammock supported the body of the guitar so that I didn't have to hold it up. I am definitely rusty, but I was able to play - blood flowing to my brain, my body relaxed and reclined. Yay!!! :victory:

I have decided that I am not going to work for the entire month of May, taking off on "sabbatical" to practice Hammock Therapy. It's been getting increasingly difficult to work and rather than try another protocol, or some other 'doing' treatment, I am going to stop, rest, and (hopefully) recover.
 

MEKoan

Senior Member
Messages
2,630
OMG! I'm so happy for you that I actually have tears pouring down my face!!!

That is so wonderful! Everything about that is wonderful!

When it's chilling wrap yourself in a comforter! Being wrapped in a comforter on a hammock on a chilly day is heaven!!!

I'm soooo happy for you!

:hug:
 

Lily

*Believe*
Messages
677
Awwwww Kim........you just made my day! Maybe my week! Maybe more!


Big hugs,

Lily:hug::hug::hug:
 

spindrift

Plays With Voodoo Dollies
Messages
286
Oh Kim!!!

Hammock therapy, that one is sure to help you recover! The only thing I can think of that might
make that even better is adding chocolate therapy and singing:

[video=youtube;9ogQ0uge06o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o[/video]​
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
Kim! OMG! Yes! I'm so glad to hear about this. And so HAPPY FOR YOU!

After I was struck by lightning in 1979, the ONLY thing that helped my nerves normalize and chill out was hanging in my hammock, which I did up to 5-6 hours per day. The rocking motion was so HEALING on my shattered body. It brought my at-rest pulse of 120 down to 80 in a matter of a few hours. And it helped me sleep so much better.

It was that same summer that I began playing guitar--while lying down!
Thanks for reminding me. I still have my hammock in my linen closet. It's time to get it out!

I had to add this song--it just fits the mood so well! ENJOY!

[video=youtube;M51GtQ7rEjs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M51GtQ7rEjs&feature=related[/video]
 

leelaplay

member
Messages
1,576
Oh Kim - this sounds just perfect for you. I'm so happy.

True confession time - I'm a hammock addict. I have 3 - one for every situation. I have the one at home that is solid and goes on a stand - and can be moved in and out of the shade depending on what's worse - my temperature control or my heat intolerance. Then there's the big string matrimonial that comes out in the summer time and gets strung up. And finally, the fine thread cotton, beautiful blues & greens, light weight that I have fixed up as a kit to take anywhere - with straps that just wrap around trees/posts at almost any distance... and have S hooks that hold them in place.

There's something about the slight rocking motion that I think reminds us of either being in a cradle - or even the amneotic sack - and induces deep rest.

And I'm with Koan - if it gets cooler or windy - I put blankets bth under ando over me + nice warm socks and a hat.
 

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Glad you passed in action so quickly Kim, I hope your therapy proves fantastic!!!
 
K

_Kim_

Guest
It's so wonderful!!!

I had forgotten how blue the sky was.

I didn't know how golden yellow the tops of the oak trees were.

Oh, the swaying. The breeze. The birds.

I even took a little nap, holding my guitar. I guess I got a little tired playing and zzzzz....

I'm in L.O.V.E. with my new hammock.
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
I hung my hammock after lunch and took a half hour siesta swing in it. H-E-A-V-E-N! It slows your breathing down almost instantly.

We need a hammock retreat center!

Thanks again for reminding me how wonderful it is!
 

fds66

Senior Member
Messages
231
I am so pleased to hear that you are getting such benefit from your hammock. The joy of the blue sky and the guitar.

Please may I be excused hammock therapy - I can't stand them - even the slightest movement in them makes the world spin terribly so you can imagine what gentle rocking does to me lol. My husband and son love the hammock though. The funniest sight is when my husband leans a little too far out of the hammock and ends up being tipped out on the grass. Makes me laugh every time.

I will stick to my lying in the shade in the garden therapy which I will do when the weather warms up enough to go out in the garden. There is nothing like fresh air and the smell of grass and plants.
 

oerganix

Senior Member
Messages
611
Hammock Retreat Center

summer2007.1179394320.our-bunk-housex-with-hammocks-on-the-porchx.jpg


I agree hammock therapy is the best. I can watch the coconut palm leaves caress the sky and listen to the birds. My cats sometimes join me. I can watch my garden grow or give my guy hints on what to do there. And the type of hammock in this picture costs only about $1.50 + less than another dollar for the hanging cord.

Next time I'm swingin' there, I'll be thinking of you, Kim.
 

FernRhizome

Senior Member
Messages
412
Kim:
Happy hammocking!!!! I used to live in a country farmhouse with two perfect pine trees and a hammock in between and oh how I loved to lie there and look up at the sun through the white pines. enjoy it totally!!!!! In 1996 when I had my first major relapse I was so pissed at being back down and unable to do anything and it was spring and in utter annoyance with my body I bought my first two lawn chairs and a popsicle mold.

Enjoy every moment of the hammock.....!!!!! ~Fern
 

Hysterical Woman

Senior Member
Messages
857
Location
East Coast
Great Idea!

Hi Kim,

Wonderful news about your hammock!! Mine broke last year and I am very sad. Hopefully I can find one on sale somewhere. The guitar idea is great too, so if I get another one all I have to do is figure out how I can get my


babygrand..jpg

in there with me.

HW
 

fds66

Senior Member
Messages
231
Now a recumbent piano is a really good idea. I would play one of those.