Rest is Self-Care

Raise your hand if you feel tired.

I bet if you asked this same question to the next 5 people you see, they would also raise their hands, because we live in a rest-deprived society. Grinding and playing hard are important, but so is resting hard.

For the first year of my life, I have gotten enough sleep more often than not. It feels amazing, and I truly do not know how I functioned on fumes for so long.

This change came from me shifting priorities in a way that I had never previously done. I had to learn how to budget the finite hours in each day to spend them on the things that hold the most value for me. I know to be my most powerful, I need to have adequate time to rest.

Dr. Amy dressed as Shirley Chisholm for Halloween.

This is well backed up by scientific evidence. Lack of sleep negatively impacts every body system, including our brains, hearts, hormones, immunity, and mental health. Rest is truly resistance towards poor health.

Rest is also resistance in a broader sense.  Tricia Hersey, Founder of The Nap Ministry, states, "Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy."  This means setting boundaries around your time and energy.  When thinking about advocacy in systems that surround us, it means prioritizing issues that hold the most value for you and focusing on those instead of trying to spread yourself too thin by tackling everything and becoming ineffective.

Determining your values is a great next step towards enacting rest as resistance. Try it out with this simple online activity. Once you know what truly matters to you, it becomes easier to budget your time and set your boundaries.  A meaningful way to prioritize improving your sleep is by creating a wind-down routine. Having a bedtime routine prepares your body for rest, and creates an optimal situation for sleep. For example, reducing blue light from screens at least 30-60 minutes before sleep, lowering the thermostat, releasing body tension (e.g., stretching), and eliminating light in your bedroom are all part of a great bedtime routine.  A great website for even more sleep tips is the National Sleep Foundation.

Remember, prioritizing yourself is a revolutionary act, and small steps can have a profound impact. Let’s commit to thriving unapologetically—individually and together. Stay tuned for more tips and inspiration in the months ahead!

In solidarity,

Dr. Amy

This is part of Dr. Amy's Self Care Is Political Warfare series. Read the entire series here!