Rest as Resistance: Mental Health for Black Women Survivors

It’s no secret that Black women are some of the strongest, most resilient people on the planet. We carry the weight of history, personal challenges, and generational trauma—often without pause. But here’s a question we rarely ask ourselves: What happens when we don’t rest?

For many Black women—especially survivors of trauma—the pressure to constantly be strong, to constantly perform, can be overwhelming. We are taught to hustle, to push through, to be everything to everyone… all while ignoring our own mental health. But I need to tell you something you might not hear often enough:

Rest is not a luxury. It’s resistance.

When we choose rest, we are choosing our healing, our peace, and our humanity. We are resisting the systems that expect us to sacrifice ourselves for others. And that, my friends, is a radical act of self-care.

🧠 The Toll of Constant Hustle

We live in a world that demands more from us—especially Black women. Society tells us we must work twice as hard, be twice as strong, and give more than we receive. For survivors, this pressure can manifest in toxic productivity: always doing, never resting, afraid to slow down.

But here's the truth we don’t hear enough: Rest is part of the healing process. It’s not about being lazy or unmotivated. It’s about honoring your body and mind and recognizing that your worth is not tied to your output.

✨ The Power of Rest for Healing

Rest doesn’t just mean sleeping more—it’s about taking time to replenish your mental, emotional, and spiritual reserves. It’s about saying “no” to external demands and “yes” to what nourishes you.

For Black women survivors, rest is crucial for:

• Restoring balance to a life that’s often been consumed by trauma

• Protecting mental health by reducing burnout and anxiety

• Breaking free from toxic productivity that leaves us drained and disconnected from our own needs

Rest is a reclamation of our humanity. It says, “I deserve time to recharge. I am worthy of rest—no strings attached.”

🧘🏾‍♀️ Why Rest Is Radical for Black Women Survivors

In a world that rewards hustle and defines our worth by what we do, resting becomes an act of resistance. By choosing rest, we are challenging the expectations placed on us, as well as healing from the cycles of generational trauma. As Black women, we’ve been conditioned to feel guilty for taking breaks, for setting boundaries, for prioritizing ourselves over others. But it’s time to change the narrative.

Rest is not selfish. It’s a survival strategy. When we rest, we are investing in our own well-being so that we can continue to thrive and show up as our best selves. Rest isn’t just about sleep—it’s about stopping the world, if only for a moment, and allowing yourself to just be.

🌱 How to Begin Practicing Radical Rest

In the same way you would care for a loved one, it’s time to start caring for yourself. Here are some gentle ways to practice rest:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Pause

Give yourself the freedom to take a break—even if just for 10 minutes. Sit in silence. Let your body breathe. Don’t feel like you need to “earn” your rest.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is one of the most restorative tools we have. If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, commit to a bedtime routine that allows your body and mind to reset.

3. Do Nothing

That’s right—sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what you need. No work. No distractions. Just a quiet moment to be present with yourself.

4. Practice Boundaries

Set limits on your time, energy, and commitments. Learn to say “no” to things that drain you, and “yes” to the things that fill you up.

5. Engage in Healing Practices

Whether it’s yoga, meditation, journaling, or simply going for a walk in nature, engage in practices that connect you to your body and soul.

💬 A Loving Reminder

I see you. I see how hard you work. I see the weight you carry—and I admire your strength. But please, let me remind you: You are allowed to rest.You are allowed to heal.You are allowed to choose yourself.

Taking care of yourself is not an act of weakness. It is an act of radical resistance against a world that tells you to do more and be more, while giving nothing back.

So, take a break. You’ve earned it. And when you rest, know that you are not just taking care of your body—you are reclaiming your peace, your power, and your purpose.

Rest is resistance.And rest is your right.

🤍—Taylor