How flat is the body supposed to be?

**fmincon** · 07-25-2016, 11:54

Have slept for a week in my first hammock (https://www.amazon.com/Vivere-Double.../dp/B004YJCP7O) and it feels pretty good so far.

How flat is one's body supposed to be? Is it straight as a line or more like on a recumbent bike? I also woke up today with a weird tingling feeling on my left foot that's lasted for several hours, like a nerve was impinged or something. Could this be because I'm not laying flat enough? I'm sleeping off-diagonal like in the intro to hammock guides.

**Nodust** · 07-25-2016, 11:57

Like a Lazy-boy recliner flat. The lighter the fabric the more the butt sinks.

**OneClick** · 07-25-2016, 12:58

Was it your heel tingling? I get that if there's too much pressure on a heel which is caused by me not hanging my foot end higher and I slide down a little.

**sqidmark** · 07-25-2016, 13:27

Put something under your knees to prop 'em up a bit.

**fmincon** · 07-25-2016, 15:15

Originally Posted by markr6

Was it your heel tingling? I get that if there's too much pressure on a heel which is caused by me not hanging my foot end higher and I slide down a little.

Yup, you guessed it. So do you mean you get your feet elevated a bit more to solve the issue?

**OneClick** · 07-25-2016, 15:19

Originally Posted by fmincon

Yup, you guessed it. So do you mean you get your feet elevated a bit more to solve the issue?

Yes. Not to the point where you're sliding down to the head end though. I typically hang the foot end of the suspension about 10-12" higher. Of course, make sure it's comfortable too. I also sleep with my body closer to the head end. I feel most comfortable if I reach for the gathered end over my head...if I'm a few inches from being able to touch that, it's perfect. I'm sure that varies with height though.

One time I only had 2 trees to choose from. I couldn't get a good hang and it felt like I was sliding down towards the foot end. Just barely, but it was enough to put pressure on my heel. Sort of felt like it fell asleep and took about 30 minutes to go away.

**bkrgi** · 07-25-2016, 17:27

The heal tingle is the start of a bed sore scenario. Too much pressure on one point for to long.
Watch Shug's latest video on Gathered end Hammocks for some sleeping position ideas, also try what has been mentioned above as well.
Essentially Try different things to find what works best for you to help keep prolonged pressure points at bay whilst still maintain your comfort level.

**high-peak** · 07-26-2016, 01:00

With the 12 inches higher thing, this is at the tree and not over the length of the hammock itself?

**sqidmark** · 07-26-2016, 04:59

If you "measure" at the tree it will always be different due to the varying distance between trees. Different story when using fixed mount points, like a stand.

**OneClick** · 07-26-2016, 08:51

Originally Posted by high-peak

With the 12 inches higher thing, this is at the tree and not over the length of the hammock itself?

It's not an exact science. I'll eye up two trees, then walk it off. Each step is about 3', so I shoot for close to 5 steps, or 15'. Then I hang the hammock. Head end is usually at or a little over my head and the foot end is a good reach, about 12" over my head. So on level ground, you can see the difference but it's not as much as you may think.