“Girl, you need to rest.” We hear this statement often as Black women. But is it one we follow? As a busy journalist covering stories throughout the day and spending nights in the field, I sometimes fail to get the rest I know my body needs.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, which promotes sleep awareness and healthier sleep habits, people who make time for adequate rest and relaxation are more productive, can better reach their goals and generally feel happier. But Black women are often expected to take on more than others, so we devote less time to our restoration.
This burden has been passed down through centuries, but times are changing. Rest is no longer a luxury or even a necessity; it’s a cry of resistance as we reclaim what is rightfully ours to be our best selves.
A Past of Rest Denied
Our enslaved ancestors were forced to stay awake or only allowed 3 or 4 hour nights to sleep, which was ruptured with sound and corporal punishment, in an attempt to keep them under control. “Reparations should not just be an economic ask, it should also be an energetic repairer,” artists Navild Acosta and Fannie Sosa, creators of Black Power Naps, shared with EBONY in 2023.
The two have been instrumental in educating our community about how systemic racism has affected our sleep cycle throughout history. Unfortunately, the cycle remains with new issues that can keep us from getting adequate rest, which for some, can include poverty, limited access to healthcare and living in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Societal Expectation of Endurance
Even the wealthiest among us can still suffer from a lack of rest and restoration. From our roots of resilience, Black women have been burdened with the belief to be strong and durable, making others believe that we don’t need rest to survive. The stereotype of being a savior to others has repeatedly led us to burnout and emotional exhaustion. This, coupled with the notion that Black women have to work twice as hard to achieve the same respect and recognition as male and or/white counterparts, has also led to a dearth of rest in our daily priorities. The result? Sleep becomes a luxury that many of us skimp on to handle the ever-increasing demands of responsibility.
The Path of Rest through Resistance
Knowing the historical, physical and psychological warfare associated with a lack of sleep and restoration, it’s no surprise there is a growing movement that considers rest for Black women not just a necessity, but an act of political resistance. Due to the high stress levels we have been put under, rest has become a form of self-preservation.
One voice leading the charge is Tricia Hersey, founder of the Nap Ministry. She recognized our unique challenges and issued a battle cry: “We will rest.”
In her first book, Rest is a Resistance: A Manifesto (2022), Hersey lays out the philosophy that rest is not just self-care, but a radical act of resistance against capitalism and white supremacy. Within its pages, she forces us to challenge the notion that productivity without restoration is a valuable measure of worth.
Her most recent book, We Will Rest!: The Art of Escape (2024), furthers the message of rest being a vital part of life. Broken into four parts, it encourages us to rest, dream, resist and imagine.
Hersey’s words, and others like her, have set the foundation that rest as a form of self-care and resistance to oppressive systems should not be ignored.
Get to Resting
You may have missed the National Day of Rest for Black Women, which took place on March 10, but it’s never too late to reclaim your rest and prioritize yourself. Here are three ways to make it happen in your life.
Prioritize Sleep. Establish a sleep schedule and create a comforting routine that helps you get into the right frame of mind for a good night’s rest: no TV or screen time for at least 30 minutes before drifting off. Prep a dark, quiet and cool room and choose bedding that makes you want to dive right in.
Take Mini Mental Breaks. Beyond what happens in the bedroom, your mind needs breaks throughout the day to calm and reboot. Just 5 to 10 minutes away from work and responsibilities allows you to decompress and recharge without significantly setting you way off track. Add a few throughout the day.
Take a 24-hour Reboot. Indulge in some self-love for 24 hours. Take a walk. Engage in your favorite hobbies. Plan a bubble bath. Enjoy good music. Sleep! For 24 hours, treat yourself to your favorite activities and pastimes (and make sure you put the phone on do not disturb). Whether it’s just at home or you plan an overnight getaway, allowing yourself to recharge without interruption is not selfish or greedy. It’s about taking time out to be your best self. If 24 hours seems too long, start with an afternoon and build up.
It’s time to revive our physical, mental and spiritual beings through rest and resistance. Sleep well, my sisters.
