“When You’re Tired of Being Strong: The Importance of Rest for Black Women”
- Raven Williams
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
By: Raven Williams, MSW
Rest. What does it truly mean, and how do we embrace it as Black women, as mothers, and as caregivers? How can we slow down in a world that constantly demands we move faster?
This is a real concern in our community. Living with unbalanced priorities can impact our mental well being. As our mothers would say, “You can’t take care of others before taking care of yourself.” Yes, before your kids. Yes, before your husband. And definitely before your job. But how do we prioritize ourselves while under enormous pressure to perform?
Now in this moment of collective exhale, amid the rollback of civil rights, assaults on bodily
autonomy, and the steady erosion of hard-won freedoms, many of us are choosing ourselves by actively resting
Understanding the sources of stress and its role in disease pathology is key to
developing tailored treatment plans for individuals that include both pharmacological
(medications and/or nutraceuticals) and nonpharmacological (lifestyle changes, daily exercise, healthy food choices, etc.) interventions. Let's discuss the logistics around this. Small acts of resistance are the intentional decision to stop and put yourself first. Here are some ways to do this:
Creating boundaries: Remember, “No” is a complete sentence. Prioritize your “me” time by
saying no to extra work or shifts. As an ambitious woman, at times you may need to tell yourself “No” or “Not right now.” You don’t deserve to burn yourself out in order to rest and relax
Sleep: Are you tired? Are you getting enough sleep? Take time out of your day to take an
intentional break. Sit down for at least 15 minutes on a busy day. Take a deep breath and relax your shoulders. If you can, take an hour out of your day to rest and sleep without feeling guilty.
Rest sis. Take your lunch break. Unwind from work. And remember, taking 10 minutes to walk
outside after work could be helpful. Dinner can wait 10 minutes or so.
Practice mindfulness: Calm your mind by being intentional with being still. The elements of
mindfulness, namely awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of one moment-to-moment experience, are regarded as potentially effective antidotes against common forms of
psychological distress—rumination, anxiety, worry, fear, anger, and so on—many of which
involve the maladaptive tendencies to avoid, suppress, or over-engage with one distressing thoughts and emotions.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental
health treatment.
Resources
● 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or text 988)
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2. Tipre, M., & Carson, T. L. (2022). A qualitative assessment of gender- and race-related
stress among Black women. Women’s Health Reports, 3(1), 222–227.
3. Hayes, S. C., & Feldman, G. (2004). Clarifying the construct of mindfulness in the
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35(2), 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(04)80003-2
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind
to face stress, pain, and illness. Delacorte Press.
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