Black Women On Political Rest

Rest Is the New Resistance

TL;DR

Black women in their 30s are embracing rest from the weight of political and social battles in 2025. This shift reflects a powerful act of self-preservation rooted in generational healing, with deep implications for mental health. Learn how reclaiming rest can be both revolutionary and necessary for long-term wellness.

The Problem

For decades, Black women have been lauded as the backbone of political movements—mobilizing communities, fighting for justice, and holding it all together. Yet, the emotional toll of this labor has often been overlooked. In 2025, a growing number of Black women are stepping back to prioritize peace, joy, and intentional rest.

The chronic stress from political overexertion, combined with the psychological pressure of being perceived as strong and self-sacrificing, has led to disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, and hypertension among Black women (Woods-Giscombé, 2010). The impact of the 2020s, marked by racial trauma, political upheaval, and pandemic burnout, compounded this reality.

Many Black women in their 30s are now publicly declaring a break from being the “fixers” and instead choosing softness, boundaries, and radical self-care. This movement isn’t about apathy—it’s about survival.

The Psychology

Psychologically, this shift can be understood as a trauma-informed response to years of accumulated stress. The concept of "John Henryism," a term coined by Dr. Sherman James, describes a high-effort coping style used by Black individuals facing chronic social stressors. While this strategy helps achieve external success, it comes with serious health consequences (James, 1994).

Furthermore, Black women often experience what's called the "Strong Black Woman Schema," which emphasizes resilience, caretaking, and emotional suppression. Though socially celebrated, this psychological model has been shown to undermine emotional well-being and contributes to increased mental and physical health issues (Nelson et al., 2022).

Studies from the American Psychological Association indicate that rest and self-compassion play critical roles in preventing burnout and long-term psychological harm. Choosing to disconnect from the stress of constant advocacy is not selfish—it’s a trauma-informed intervention.

The Facts

• Black women are 60% more likely to report symptoms of anxiety compared to White women (Office of Minority Health, 2022).

• Black women are three times more likely to experience high blood pressure due to chronic stress (CDC, 2023).

• The CDC reports that consistent high-stress levels contribute to faster aging in Black women, also known as "weathering" (Geronimus et al., 2006).

• According to APA surveys, burnout rates among Black women activists have spiked by over 40% since 2020 (APA, 2023).

• Studies show that rest, mindfulness, and boundary-setting significantly reduce stress-related illness (Brown et al., 2018).

The Advice

If you're a Black woman in your 30s feeling the weight of the world, here’s how to start reclaiming your rest:

1. Choose Rest Intentionally

This is not a timeout—it’s a long-term shift. Schedule rest into your calendar the way you would a protest or a community meeting. Naps, journaling, silence, and saying “no” are not signs of weakness—they are rituals of recovery. Build rest into your weekly rhythm unapologetically.

2. Detox from Urgency Culture

Not every crisis needs your immediate emotional labor. Step back from the expectation to comment, post, or react to every political headline. You do not owe your sanity to public opinion. Give yourself permission to unplug, even from causes you care about.

3. Nurture Joy as a Political Act

Radical joy is resistance. Dance. Travel. Laugh. Read fiction. Romance your life. When Black women choose joy, they reject a system that profits from their pain. Schedule joy into your week the way you’d schedule a protest—because it’s just as necessary.

4. Seek Therapy or Healing Spaces

Processing burnout with a culturally competent therapist or support group can help unpack generational expectations of over-functioning. Therapy isn’t about fixing you—it’s about freeing you.

5. Normalize Collective Rest

Talk to your sisters. Share resources. Rest together. If you’re a leader, model rest in your group chats, meetings, and circles. It’s not just about you—it’s about reshaping our communities to value Black women’s peace as a priority.

6. Educate Others About Rest as Liberation

Let the people in your life know that your rest is not up for negotiation. When you center your wellness, you give others permission to do the same. You become a blueprint for sustainable freedom.

Remember: self-preservation is a revolutionary act. When you rest, you’re not letting anyone down—you’re showing up for yourself with intention and love.

Join the Conversation

Let’s continue this dialogue on radical rest and collective healing. Listen to my podcast, The Group Sessions, where we break down topics like this with evidence-based insights and real-world compassion.

Book a coaching session with me if you need a safe space to explore how to find balance and softness in your life. Let’s reclaim mental wellness together.

References

American Psychological Association. (2023). Stress in America™ 2023: The State of Our Nation. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress

Brown, K. W., Ryan, R. M., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry, 18(4), 211–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/10478400701598298

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). High blood pressure facts. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

Geronimus, A. T., Hicken, M., Keene, D., & Bound, J. (2006). "Weathering" and age patterns of allostatic load scores among Blacks and Whites in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 96(5), 826–833. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2004.060749

James, S. A. (1994). John Henryism and the health of African-Americans. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 18(2), 163–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01379448

Nelson, T. D., Cardemil, E. V., & Adeoye, C. T. (2022). The Strong Black Woman Schema and psychological distress: Implications for mental health services. Journal of Black Psychology, 48(1), 3–27. https://doi.org/10.1177/00957984211021479

Office of Minority Health. (2022). Mental health and African Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov