***NOTE FROM ENO: This post is the first of a week-long series of blog posts celebrating National Relaxation Day on August 15th! Check out our relaxation sweepstakes going on from now until August 14th, and enter to win some ENO goodies!!***
According to a recent article by The College Store Magazine , more than 30% of fall 2012’s freshmen said that they felt stressed and overwhelmed during their last year of high school. Researchers say that this stress could very likely continue through their first year of college. So what’s a hard-working student to do?!
Relaxation products are a great tool that students can use to unwind whenever they have a break between classes and during a late night study session. And one of the best relaxation products is a hammock !
Here are 6 ways that hammocks can help as student de-stressor:
1. Gets You Outside. When you think hammock, you automatically think of being outside, under a tree, feeling the breeze float over you. Hammocking is a great way to get you outside, which is beneficial in many ways. For one, open spaces allow you more opportunities to boost your health. Going outside is exercise in itself, and exercise is a natural mood enhancer. Finding that perfect spot to hang your hammock will get your body moving and being out in the fresh air will do your mind a world of good. Being outside also allows you to socialize, and social contact is another great way to reduce stress.
2. More Sleep. A hammock is one of the best places to sleep and recharge for your next busy day. Because the natural rhythm of swinging promotes relaxation, you will fall asleep faster and sleep deeper. Sleeping in a hammock also increases the length of Stage N2 sleep, where muscular activity is at its minimum, and conscious awareness of the external environment disappears. This stage takes up about half of a good night’s rest. You also get the luxury of no pressure points – making a hammock one of the most comfortable place to get some shut eye.
3. Get to Class Faster! When you make your hammock your bed, you no longer have to worry about making it every morning. You just hop out, and you’re ready to go! It’ll be there, hanging out and waiting for you to come back for a quick nap before Geology class.
4. Increases Concentration. The hammock’s swinging motion does not only help you sleep better, it also helps you concentrate by stimulating the cerebral cortex – the area of the brain that helps you focus. Stimulating the cerebral cortex helps your memory, attention, and perceptual awareness, so you’ll be more alert, respondent, and retentive. This makes a hammock one of the best places to study in!
5. Nap Anywhere, Anytime! Because hammocks are so portable and convenient, you can take them with you anywhere. Hang them up wherever you want (as long as it’s between 2 stable supports) between classes, on the quad, on the porch of your apartment, in front of your dorm, or even under the classroom desks! They’re a portable nap in a bag!
6. Reduces Clutter. Clutter is a stressor. When your room is messy, you will feel more anxious and overwhelmed. It makes it difficult to relax because it demands your attention away from what you should be focusing on. It also tricks your brain into thinking that there are unfinished tasks needed to be done and inhibits creativity and productivity by occupying open spaces in the room. Utilizing a hammock’s small size by replacing your bed with it can minimize the amount of clutter and open more space.
We all know that being a student can be very stressful and hectic. And when things become overwhelming, what better way to relax the stress away than in a hammock?
