Rest Is Resistance

By Tricia Hersey

Rest Is Resistance challenges the belief that exhaustion equals success. Tricia Hersey invites us to reclaim rest as a sacred practice, a pathway to healing, and a powerful act of resistance against systems that profit from our burnout.

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At a Glance

"Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy."

Why This Book Matters

Rest Is Resistance matters because it challenges one of the deepest messages imposed on Black communities: that our value comes from how much we produce, endure, and sacrifice.

Tricia Hersey connects rest to liberation, showing that caring for ourselves is not an escape from the work — it is what allows us to continue the work. This book creates space for conversations about healing, boundaries, community care, and redefining success beyond exhaustion.

Key Themes

• Rest as resistance and liberation
• Healing from productivity culture
• Black wellness and collective care
• The connection between body, spirit, and freedom
• Challenging capitalism and systems of exploitation
• Reclaiming time, energy, and self-worth
• Community healing and sustainable activism

What You'll Learn

• Understand how productivity culture shapes the way we view our worth.

• Explore the historical connection between labor, oppression, and exhaustion.

• Learn why rest is essential to healing and liberation.

• Recognize rest as a practice of self-preservation and resistance.

• Develop a deeper understanding of boundaries, care, and intentional living.

• Consider new ways to build healthier communities rooted in compassion and restoration.

Reflection Questions

What messages have shaped the way I view rest and productivity?
Where have I confused exhaustion with success?
How can rest become a more intentional part of my healing?
What systems or expectations prevent me from caring for myself?
How does caring for myself strengthen my ability to support others?
What would change if rest was viewed as essential rather than optional?

About the Author

Tricia Hersey

Tricia Hersey is a spiritual teacher, artist, activist, and the founder of the Nap Ministry, an organization dedicated to exploring rest as a form of resistance and liberation. Through her work, Hersey challenges the ways capitalism, racism, and productivity culture disconnect people from their bodies and humanity. Known as the “Nap Bishop,” Hersey combines history, spirituality, and social justice to encourage collective healing and the radical reimagining of rest. Her work has inspired a global movement centered on care, restoration, and liberation.

About the Author

Tricia Hersey

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