Archive for the 'Hammocks' Category

Laying Down the Rules of Backyard Safety

Author: LeisureTime, 09 25th, 2009
Laying Down the Rules of Backyard Safety

Hammocks are a symbol of relaxation and luxury, and there’s no better place to chill out for a few minutes on a hot day. Fathers and mothers can unwind in a hammock after a long day at work, and kids can rest their heads on a hammock pillow, swinging gently and staring up at the clouds. It’s vital that parents warn their kids about the dangers of horseplay on a hammock, as injury could result.

Be sure to set up the hammock far away from dangerous drops such as the edge of a pool or the downward slope of a hill. Kids waking up from a nap could easily hurt themselves trying to exit the hammock in a disoriented state. Also discourage children from jumping on and off the hammock, as their limbs could get caught in the netting. Backyard safety parameters should be set at the beginning of the season and reinforced as necessary.

Relaxing by the Pool

Author: LeisureTime, 09 07th, 2009

hanginghammocksfabric-leisurehammocks.jpgFor the average worker, any chance to relax is welcomed with open arms. Long hours and stressful deadlines have a way of preventing us from enjoying those simple moments of respite as often as we perhaps should. Not everyone has hours of excess time to lounge by the pool, but even just a bit of relaxation time here and there makes a huge difference.

Still, there’s just something natural about the pairing of hammock and pool. A quilted hammock can be set up poolside in a manner of minutes, and there’s no need to worry about the fabric getting wet. Moisture beads off the surface almost instantaneously, allowing you to recline on a dry, cozy hammock for as long as possible. At some point, a real-life issue will bring you back to earth; don’t waste your chance to relax.

Bringing the Family Together

Author: LeisureTime, 08 24th, 2009

Hammock swings

Earlier this summer, I noticed that my family had been growing gradually apart. This wasn’t intentional on any of our parts – I make a concerted effort to eat dinner with my wife and two daughters every night, and we try to catch up on each other’s lives. But I recognized that it was time to strengthen our familial bond with a camping trip.

Knowing that my daughters would be somewhat averse to the idea of sleeping on the ground, I invested in a couple of hammock beds. As it turned out, they both developed a new appreciation for the night sky after lying for hours beneath the stars. I taught them both how to fish, and we had a rollicking good time telling stories in front of the campfire.

Cleaning and Maintaining Hammocks

Author: LeisureTime, 08 10th, 2009
Cleaning and Maintaining Hammocks

Hammocks need proper care in order to retain their support and color throughout the seasons. Hammocks are best left out in the warmer weather, and then brought in and placed in a garage or shed during the autumn and winter months. If a hammock or hammock pad is allowed to endure the elements outside, there is a good chance it will be wrecked at a later date. In order to clean a hammock, it’s a good idea to just bleach it in a little bit of water and bleach. This is of course just for the standard string hammocks. For hammocks with color, use an old washcloth and some soap to rub out stains and grit from remaining outside. Make sure to clean hammocks and hammock pads each summer before putting them away.

Hammock stands can also rust if left out in the rain and snow, so it’s a good to store these in the same area as the hammock or hammock pad. It’s also a good idea to wipe down the hammock stand and ensure no critters are living inside it before storage.

Summertime is for Hammocks!

Author: LeisureTime, 07 27th, 2009
Summertime is for Hammocks!

Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than lounging in the shade supported by the weight of a hammock. There’s no time of the year quite like summer for hammock relaxation, and there are a lot of clever ways to set up a hammock even if there aren’t two trees in close proximity. For some people, a hammock stand is a great option, though these stands can be expensive. Instead, look around the area for any two objects that are in close proximity. These objects could include: a tree and a fence post, two deck posts, a basketball hoop and a tree, etc. Just look around for two objects that could support cotton hammocks between them, and you’ll have a great place for relaxation.

Planting a future location for a hammock is also a great activity for kids. Take two saplings, and plant them perpendicular to each other, then watch them grow over the years, and eventually, you’ll have two great hammock trees!

Hammocks Are Off the Chain

Author: LeisureTime, 06 29th, 2009
Hammocks Are Off the Chain

A humid summer morning spent mowing the lawn can leave some homeowners drained. In these situations, nothing short of a quick nap will do. Time to head to the backyard, climb onto the hammock and place your arms behind your head in quiet satisfaction. Suddenly, a snapped hammock chain interrupts your doze and brings you all too literally back down to earth.

Thankfully, there are solutions that don’t involve shelling out extra cash for a brand-new hammock. As with most household products, parts wear out at varying times. Restoring that early afternoon slumber could be as simple as finding a tree-hook, a chain or other hammock accessories.

Hammocks After Summer Passes

Author: LeisureTime, 06 10th, 2009
Hammocks After Summer Passes

One of the major advantages to hammocks is that practically everyone can enjoy them. Regardless of your height, weight, or size, you will be able to comfortably and leisurely enjoy a swing, a rest, or a nap. And one of the best ways to enjoy these hammocks is by coupling them with the fresh air and warm breeze of the outside. To that end, outdoor hammocks are one of the best ways to relax and unwind on a spring or summer day.

But what should people do about their outdoor hammocks in the fall and winter? During these rainy months, after all, the hammock is sure to be neglected. If you want to ensure that the hammock lasts its longest, it is advisable to take it down during the months that you’re not going to use it. This will stem some of the damage that it could incur in bad weather. And because they are easy to set up, take down, and reassemble, it’s no big deal to dig it out of the garage if you experience an abnormally nice fall day and want to take a swing.

Hammocks in Pop Culture

Author: LeisureTime, 05 13th, 2009
Hammocks in Pop Culture

While hammocks used to be a rarity among backyards, now they are practically a staple in every suburban home. But hammocks are not limited to backyards or beaches. They have also made a lot of appearances in pop culture. In fact, in season eight of The Simpsons, the episode entitled “You Only Move Twice” sees Homer taking a promotion with the Globex Corporation. Surprisingly good at his new managerial position, one of Homer’s ideas is implementing work hammocks in the office.

He pitches the idea to his new boss Hank Scorpio, who just happens to be an evil genius plotting to take over control of the world. The character, expertly voiced by Albert Brooks, is a spoof on many of the super villains present in Bond films. It marked the fourth voice appearance for Brooks on the series, and the writers trusted his instincts enough to let him adlib many of his lines.

Getting Your Full 8 Hours of Sleep

Author: LeisureTime, 04 29th, 2009
Getting Your Full 8 Hours of Sleep

There’s nothing quite as important as getting a good night’s sleep. Without a healthy, uninterrupted block of sleep each night, we run the risk of drastically lowering our immune system. In turn, this makes it much more likely that we’ll get every cold and virus that we come in contact with. Lack of sleep can also result in poor concentration and headaches, which will make everyday tasks like performing your job difficult and unpleasant.

With that in mind, make sure that your mattress works for you. If it’s too hard or too soft, it can seriously disrupt a person’s sleep cycle. Also, if you have trouble sleeping through the night, consider taking small naps throughout the day. They don’t have to last long. In fact, they can be as short as ten to fifteen minutes, but all sleep contributes to your overall health. Instead of taking your coffee break, sneak a short nap in your car—just make sure to set your alarm! And on the weekends, try napping in places other than your bed or couch. Try taking a nap in a hammock, for example, and see if the combination of gentle swinging and outdoors can help lull you to sleep.

Island Living, Is It For You?

Author: LeisureTime, 04 21st, 2009
nethammocksbeach-leisurehammocks.jpg

Island living is attracting more and more retirees, especially people who come from places where the warm sunny weather is as rare as the blue moon. The cold weather is associated with lonely, chilly nights, whereas the warm weather is associated with fun, good health, and the sea. Before making that big leap from the city to the island, here are a few points to consider:

~ Is it really for you? Internalize to know if you can live in a laidback lifestyle all-year round. Most people get so used to a fast-paced lifestyle that they start searching for it just after a few months of living near the sea.

~ Can you live simply? Island living means cutting back on conveniences you’ve been used to. This means, in most cases, no quick trips to fastfood outlets for a burger craving or no last-minute stop to the grocery store. It also means making do without those hi-tech kitchen appliances you’ve been used to.

~ Can you afford it? Have you saved enough to enjoy lounging on net hammocks and enjoying the sand and sea for the rest of your life?

~ Have you researched enough? The Internet is full of resources on where or how to start. However, be wary of offers that are too good to be true.