I have no scientific knowledge about this, but I know for me, acclimation is critical. I intentionally sleep in my hammock at home from about April to November because I know when I am in the woods I won't have to acclimate to a new sleeping environment. When you think of how many nights you spent in a bed, it is little wonder you require some effort to change. Your weight is distributed differently, your organs align differently, bloodflow is altered, hells bells, from a physiological perspective there is much that is different from a flat bed.
I have a hard time going from our water bed to a conventional bed. So, I guess I would say give yourself some forgiveness and know that it is ok not to go to sleep easily. Concern about it creates even more anxiety. It is what it is. Accept it, and perhaps with the effort of all the other suggestions, someday soon, you will snooze successfully between trees.
If you don't, that is ok, just spend time in the woods. That is what is most important.
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I also find it easier to sleep in a hammock if I acclimate. Usually I spend a night or two each week in the hammock and it seems to keep me able to sleep on my back (I am a stomach sleeper in bed.) Sounds like you can't get acclimated though - hope you can find a way around this problem.
Duct tape three 3' rods across your chest, hips, and shins. You can fix ANYTHING with duct tape...
OK, I can't, that's CAN NOT sleep on my stomach, but having lay in the JRB bridge I have to say it's much like a bed in flatness. Yea, I know "no one mentioned it" but from experience, & being with a back sleeper who also tested it, the judgment is, go with the bridge, or as also suggested, give it some time you may switch. I could only lay in it about 10 minutes & my back started to hurt, just like in my bed.
If inclined, there are instructions on making your own bridge somewhere here at HF.
When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.
Grizz is sending me a bridge hammock to try out. Everyone's concerns are touching. This forum has drawn me to hammock camping more than the actual hammock. Hopefully I love the bridge.
I have some of the same sleep issues you describe even tho I have a HH fully tricked out with 2Q/ZQ mods. I find I never quite get the blissful sleep others describe. I drift in and out of mid-level sleep.
So, like any good gear head, I bought a JRB BMBH and sent it up to ZQ to work her magic.
In the meantime I have been more aware of my normal sleep position and find I am decidedly a side to stomach sleeper. I am accused (of course not confirmed by an independent third party) that I snore if sleeping on my back.
This weekend is my first hang in the BMBH and we'll see how it goes. I'll be sure to post if I need to put the BMBH up for sale
Being Prepared is a State of Mind
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