Are Foot Hammocks Worth It? (Explained)

What better way to increase your comfort than by treating yourself to the hammock? Sleeping in the backyard after work or camping at the beach will all feel pleasant with hammocks. But there is just one type of hammock you may have never considered owning: the foot hammock. 

I have been using it in each of my travels and am here to share with you some of the benefits.

Not only will a foot hammock make you feel comfortable but could also boost your health by improving blood circulation and reducing your lower back pain. This will prevent deep vein thrombosis and chronic back pain that results from prolonged poor posture. 

Foot mock is not a short person’s problem as many people describe them. 

Most foot hammocks are adjustable and work for people of all heights. However, shorter people and kids who cannot normally rest their feet on the floor will realize more benefits on a foot hammock than any other person. Let’s see some of these benefits in detail. 

Benefits of Using Foot Hammock

Improve Blood Circulation

Maintaining the same sitting position for a long time may impair your blood circulation particularly on the lower part of your body. This may result in muscle soreness or your legs being numb. 

Shifting your leg’s position under your seat by placing it on the floor for sometimes then resting on a foot hammock could relieve pressure on the lower part of your body and help you have better blood circulation. If your feet cannot rest on the floor, you should leave your legs dangling for a few minutes, when you start feeling numbness you rest them on the foot hammock. 

Improved blood circulation allows muscles to function at optimal levels and this, in turn, boosts your productivity or keeps you energetic during a long flight. 

Reduce the Risk of DVT

The slow movement of blood in your vein can cause clumps of blood cells called clots. The formation of a blood clot deep inside your vein located deep inside your body causes what is medically called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is usually common among those who engage on long flights.

If you have a history of DVT, a flight foot hammock has the potential to alleviate this. Having an option to change your leg position may help reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis associated with long periods of inactivity. Changing your sitting posture means you can be more active and less venous stasis may occur. 

Reduce Strain on the Lower Back

Sitting for prolonged periods of time is one of the major causes of back pain. Medically, sitting for a prolonged period of time may cause a disc between your vertebral to become herniated. The herniated disc exerts pressure on your nerve making you feel pain in your lower back. 

Well, in the case of office work, you can tell your boss what you are experiencing and ask for permission to walk around to restore normal conditions. But what if you are in the air on a long flight?

A foot hammock will be very useful in such a case. With your feet on a foot hammock, you will be able to open your hip at an angle that will reduce tension at your spinal disc. This will help reduce the pain in your lower back. 

Reduce Swelling of the Feet Associated with Long Flight

Having a foot hammock in cases of long flight may also reduce leg and foot swellings. Foot or leg swelling is also caused by inactivity during flight. According to Mayo Clinic, sitting with your feet resting on the floor for a prolonged time may cause blood to pool in your leg vein. 

Experts advise shifting your leg position as much as possible. This may include elevating your feet by resting them on a foot hammock for some time and resting them on the floor. You can also use the hammock to rotate or position the chair using your feet when in an office.

Help You to Develop a Good Sitting Posture

Having your feet comfortably rested on a foot hammock under your desk or plane seat enables you to shift your sitting position to your desired posture. Even when you want to rest your back, you will do it. If you are sleep-deprived, you can find a posture that will enable you to sleep even when you are on a plane. 

Are Foot Hammocks Allowed on Flight?

Foot hammocks are not as large as inflatable feet and therefore will consume little space in the plane compared to inflated footrests. Some planes allow the use of foot hammock but you have to adhere to their regulation.

For instance, most planes that allow foot hammocks will warn you not to use them when the plane is taking off or landing. Besides, you may be instructed to ensure your foot hammock doesn’t obstruct walkways. 

Another issue that could chip in is the person whose seat you hang your foot hammock on complaining of not being comfortable with it.

All in all, a foot hammock is very useful, particularly on a long flight. It will not only make you sit in your comfortable position but will improve your blood circulation, reduce neck, back, thigh, foot, and feet pain. 

Which is the Right One for Your Flight: Footrest Hammock or Inflatable Pillow?

Hammock footrest is smaller when folded down and lighter than an inflatable pillow and therefore easy to carry along and travel with. Besides, footrest hammocks have adjustable straps that allow you to get it just right depending on your height.

The main advantage of an inflatable hammock is that you can move it around on the floor of the plane to wherever you feel is comfortable for your kid. But I also love the fact that some brands come with eye masks and earplugs.

That said, inflated pillows are bulkier to stuff into your carry-on. In fact, some models may be too big to fit in between seats, especially when they are blown up to capacity. 

Conclusion

When you sit comfortably on your office desk, you are happy, motivated, and therefore very productive. Consequently, sitting comfortably throughout your long flight is something everyone would dream of. 

Accessories like a foot hammock will not only make your office experience and long flight pleasant but have a profound health benefit in the long run. With a foot hammock, you can change your sitting posture which in turn increases blood circulation and reduces strain on your lower back. If you don’t have one, think of getting one now. 

Resource

https://www.webmd.com/dvt/default.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/foot-swelling/expert-answers/faq-20057828