Rest as Resistance: Embracing Restorative Practices Beyond Sleep

Rest is not laziness—it’s liberation. For centuries, Black women have carried the weight of labor, expectations, and resilience. The wellness movement of 2025 reframes rest not as indulgence, but as a radical act of self-preservation and resistance against systems that demand constant output.

Why Rest Matters as Resistance

• Systemic fatigue: Studies show Black women face higher rates of stress-related illness due to overlapping systemic pressures.
• Social movements: The Nap Ministry and other cultural leaders have reframed rest as a form of social justice and healing.
• 2025 trend: Rest rituals—napping, mindfulness, slow living—are growing in wellness as people reject “hustle at all costs.”

Restorative Practices Beyond Sleep

1. Mindful napping: Short, intentional naps (15–20 minutes) can regulate stress hormones and improve clarity.
2. Leisure as fuel: Reading poetry, listening to music, or simply being still creates space for recovery.
3. Embodied rest: Gentle stretching, breathing, or lying down with eyes closed—rest can be movement-free presence.
4. Ritualized slowing: Light a candle, brew tea, and intentionally pause for 10 minutes midday.

Journal Prompts to Explore Rest

• “When do I feel most pressured to ‘do’—and how can I resist by resting?”
• “What does a truly rested version of me look and feel like?”
• “Which small rituals restore me the fastest?”

Soft Reign Rituals for Rest

Use our Healing Through Self-Love Journal to reflect on your relationship with rest. Light a soothing candle during breaks and surround yourself with affirmation wall art that reminds you: Rest is power.

References

• The Nap Ministry (2025). Rest as resistance movement.
• APA (2023). Racism, stress, and health.
• Global Wellness Institute (2025). Rest and slow living trends 2025.