How Black Women Can Reclaim Rest and Reduce Stress: 6 Ways to Prioritize Joy and Ease
With the daily onslaught of doom scrolling and the uncertainty lurking in everyday life, I can imagine that like me, many other Black women are quietly battling anxiety fueled by a world that constantly challenges our very existence. The attack on DEI feels personal. The fear surrounding women’s health care and right to vote is real, and don’t even get me started on the state of our financial wellness.
Navigating life as a Black woman in a world that can’t quite handle our brilliance, our resilience, or our right to rest is exhausting. Yet here we are: carrying the weight, still rising, still thriving, still creating joy even when the odds feel stacked against us.
From political upheaval to social unrest, the road ahead can seem heavy. But here’s the thing: Black women have always known how to thrive in chaos. We’ve always figured out how to rise above systems not designed for us. Even in our magic, we have to remember this truth: we can’t pour from an empty cup.
So let’s talk about it. Here are 6 simple ways Black women can prioritize peace and reduce stress:
1. Create Space for Rest—and Take It Without Guilt
Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Movements like The Nap Ministry remind us that our bodies and minds deserve care and restoration. Founder Tricia Hersey said it best: “Rest is resistance.” And that’s the energy we’re taking all 2025.
Here’s how to start your own rest ritual:
Set boundaries. Not everything deserves your “yes.”
Take micro-moments to recharge: light a candle, sip some tea, breathe.
Replace guilt with gratitude. The rest you give yourself? That’s self-love in action.
2. Speak Truth Over Yourself Daily
Social media will have you thinking you need to “fix” yourself or do more to be worthy. But sis, you’re already enough.
Start your day with affirmations that reflect your truth:
I am enough, exactly as I am.
I am worthy of peace, joy, and abundance.
I release expectations that don’t align with my spirit.
3. Find a Community That Sees You
The right people won’t just cheer for you, they'll pour into you. Surround yourself with folks who get it, celebrate you, and offer safe spaces for vulnerability and healing.
Need ideas?
Connect with local spaces built for us like Zora’s House, a coworking and community space for women+ of color in Columbus, Ohio.
Reconnect with friends who refill your cup.
Plan joy-filled gatherings like a vision board night or a chill Sunday brunch.
4. Protect Your Mind and Spirit
The world is noisy. Protecting your peace is an act of self-preservation.
Try this:
Limit screen time and doom-scrolling and set healthy news boundaries.
Choose uplifting books, podcasts, sermons that align with your peace.
Start a morning routine: journal, pray, move your body, or reflect in stillness.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins (They Matter!)
In a world obsessed with hustle, small wins get overlooked. But those little victories, they’re everything.
Start a “win” list:
Set a boundary? Write it down.
Said no without explaining yourself? That’s growth.
Made time for joy or ease? That’s powerful.
6. Lean Into Your Faith
Personally, it’s my faith in God that steadies me when everything else feels shaky. Life might be unpredictable, but God’s promises are not. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Let that truth anchor you. Meditate on it. Pray it. Walk in it courageously!
Final Thoughts: Your Peace Is Non-Negotiable
Black women, we are more than what the world has done to us. We are more than the stress, the setbacks, the noise. Let’s start protecting our peace, claiming our rest, and honoring who we are fully and unapologetically.
So, breathe deep. Reflect. Rest. Recharge.
Call to Action: Join the Courageous Collective
Sis, how are you prioritizing peace and protecting your joy? Drop a comment below. I'd love to hear from you.
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