It’s the beginning of January and many people are making and reevaluating their resolutions. One important aspect that I am challenging you all not to overlook is rest and self-care. Incorporating rest into New Year’s resolutions can have a significant impact on overall well-being and productivity. Taking time for rest can reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, and increase creativity and productivity.
Rest is essential for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Tricia Hersey, the creator of “The Nap Ministry,” emphasizes the importance of rest and how it can improve our lives.
According to Hersey, rest is not just about sleeping or doing nothing, but rather it is a holistic practice that involves taking care of our bodies, minds, and spirits. The Nap Ministry is a movement that encourages individuals to prioritize rest in their lives, to create a more just and equitable society.
Hersey, author, speaker and sleep advocate, argues that rest is a form of self-care and a deeply political act. In a society that values productivity and constant busyness, taking time for rest is seen as a luxury.
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However, Hersey argues that it is necessary for survival and resistance. By prioritizing rest, we can reduce stress and fatigue, which allows us to be more productive, creative, and engaged in our communities. Hersey also addresses the systemic issues of racial and economic injustice and how people of color and low-income individuals are disproportionately affected by lack of access to rest and self-care.
It is important for individuals to prioritize rest and to take time off for their mental and physical well-being. In some cultures, particularly in Western societies, it is common for people to prioritize work and productivity over rest and self-care. However, taking mental health days and making time for rest can improve productivity and overall well-being in the long run.
I have been living in Senegal for just over a year, and in Senegalese society, time is often perceived differently than in Western societies. The concept of time is often seen as more fluid, and deadlines and schedules are not always strictly adhered to. This can be attributed to the strong emphasis on community and relationships in Senegalese culture.
People often prioritize social interactions and spending time with family and friends over strict adherence to time schedules. This was jarring for my “time is money” programming initially, but in time, I began to question myself. Why do I feel the need to constantly search for the next thing to do? Why is my identity so tied to my achievements? Why do I feel guilty resting when my body is telling me it’s time to?
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As Black American people, we tend to have a particular pressure to define our worth through working “twice as hard”, and understandably so. The effects of slavery on Black people continue to be felt in the present day.
The legacy of slavery has had a profound and lasting impact on Black communities in the United States and around the world. The forced migration and exploitation of millions of people for centuries have created a systemic racial inequality that is still present today. The legacy of slavery has contributed to the ongoing economic and educational disparities that Black communities face.
Slavery stripped Black people of their land, wealth, and resources, which hindered their ability to build intergenerational wealth and access to educational and economic opportunities. This has led to a persistent wealth gap between Black and white Americans, where the median wealth of white households is over ten times that of Black households.
Additionally, the legacy of slavery has also had a significant impact on the mental health of Black people. Slavery and its aftermath have created a trauma that has been passed down through generations, which has led to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among Black people.
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But instead of bearing the burden of closing these gaps through sleepless nights and grinding, Tricia Hersey pushes us to “…consider the fact that your Ancestors built this entire nation for free with their stolen labor. Use this knowledge to tap into what they have already done, so you don’t have to grind yourself into oblivion now.”
Incorporating rest into New Year’s resolutions can include setting aside time for daily self-care practices such as meditation, yoga or journaling, or to schedule regular mental health days, or even better, taking a whole day to relax and do nothing. It can also involve creating a more conducive environment for rest, like setting up a comfortable sleeping area or optimizing your sleep routine.
In summary, Rest is an important aspect of our lives, and it is often overlooked in New Year’s resolutions. Incorporating rest and self-care into New Year’s resolutions can have a significant impact on overall well-being and productivity.
By prioritizing rest, we can reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, and, in the process, push back against systems that are fueled by our exhaustion and disconnection from our bodies and spirits.
Tiyanna Stewart Teuw is a SpeakUp! Program Associate and Howard University ’18 alumni.
