There's something new hanging around the University of Washington.
It's the Hammockers of UW. People who lie in hammocks and, well, that's really it.
A few months ago, sophomore Aaron Holben and his buddies, Karlee Lubenow, and Crystal Huynh, were talking about how much they loved relaxing in their portable hammocks and how great it would be if they could start a club to spread the joys of hammocking far and wide.
"It's a really good destresser," said Crystal Huynh, also a sophomore.
The university officially recognized them.
"We were stoked," Lubenow said.
They began hammocking in earnest everywhere they could. And, yes, hammocking is a word. At least to them.
"It's funny," said Holben. "I'll be talking to people who don't have a hammock, and I'll be like, 'Oh, yeah. I'm going to go hammock.' And they're like, 'Wait, did you just use hammock as a verb?'"
There's more to this sport or hobby, or whatever you want to call it than meets the eye. Hammocking is good for your health. At least your mental health.
Lubenow said, "Coming here and hammocking is just one part of the day where you can really just let it go."
