After years of helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, and the relentless pace of modern life, I’ve become convinced that one of the simplest therapeutic tools might be hanging in your backyard—or could be, with a couple of trees and some rope.
I constantly emphasize the importance of nervous system regulation. When we’re chronically stressed, our bodies remain in fight-or-flight mode, making emotional healing nearly impossible. The gentle rocking motion of a hammock naturally activates the parasympathetic nervous system—our body’s “rest and digest” response. It’s the same soothing movement that calms infants, and something in our adult nervous systems still responds to that primal comfort.
As someone who finds solace in nature, I’ve experienced firsthand how a hammock amplifies outdoor healing. Unlike a rigid patio chair, a hammock cradles you while keeping you connected to the natural world. You feel the breeze differently, notice the play of light through leaves above, and experience a sense of weightlessness that busy minds rarely achieve.
I often recommend “hammock time” to clients struggling with racing thoughts or insomnia. The combination of fresh air, gentle motion, and the absence of screens creates an ideal environment for meditation or simply allowing the mind to wander. Some of my own best insights have come while swaying between two oak trees, watching clouds drift by.
For families, hammocks become gathering spots for conversation without the distractions of indoor life. There’s something about that suspended space that invites deeper connection—both with nature and each other.
Sometimes healing happens when we literally give ourselves permission to be suspended between earth and sky.
This is a great option to add to your outdoor space!
Salt + Cedar Collective 