Empower Yourself with Rest: Rest as a Tool for Empowerment – The Human Right to Recharge

In a world that continuously equates success with constant hustle and productivity, rest is often viewed as a luxury or indulgence. However, rest is more than a mere escape from work—it’s a fundamental human need and, as Tricia Hersey argues in her book Rest as Resistance, it is a powerful act of defiance against a system that profits off our exhaustion. The human right to rest is essential to our empowerment and well-being. When rest is denied or made inaccessible, it perpetuates cycles of burnout, inequity, and mental fatigue. Rest, when properly understood and accessed, becomes a tool for personal and collective empowerment.

Rest as a Human Right: A Critical Need, Not a Privilege

Tricia Hersey’s Rest as Resistance challenges us to rethink the relationship between productivity and rest. In a society where the value of an individual is often tied to their output, taking time to rest is not just an act of self-care, but an act of resistance. Rest allows us to reclaim our agency and challenge a system designed to exploit our time and energy. For many, especially those in marginalized communities, this can be a radical act—one that refuses the notion that we must always be “doing” to be worthy.

Similarly, Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Sacred Rest explores how rest is deeply intertwined with our physical, mental, and spiritual health. She emphasizes that rest is not one-dimensional but multi-faceted. It’s not just about sleeping; it’s about nurturing our emotional, social, creative, and sensory needs, too. Rest, as Dalton-Smith asserts, is sacred and integral to the fulfillment of our potential as human beings. When we allow ourselves to rest in all these dimensions, we empower ourselves to function at our fullest capacity.

The Reality of Rest for Those Who Are Homeless

While most of us struggle with carving out time for rest in a fast-paced world, the harsh reality for homeless individuals is that rest is an elusive and almost impossible concept. For those without a stable home, the ability to rest is a distant dream, often marred by constant fear, insecurity, and the basic need for survival.

For a homeless person, finding rest is a monumental challenge. The insecurity of not having a safe, quiet place to sleep creates an environment where physical and mental exhaustion thrive. The anxiety that accompanies the search for a safe place to sleep, the lack of access to clean and quiet spaces, and the constant threat of violence or theft make true rest nearly impossible. A roof over one’s head is not just shelter; it is a key ingredient for a safe and restorative form of rest. Without a stable home, people cannot experience the deep, healing rest necessary for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This lack of rest only exacerbates the cycle of homelessness, making it even harder to break free from systemic barriers to success and stability.

Rest and Empowerment: Making Rest Accessible for All

Rest should not be a luxury for the privileged few—it is a fundamental human right. In order for rest to become a tool for empowerment, it needs to be accessible to everyone. This means making rest affordable, available, and integrated into the very fabric of our societal systems. Whether through affordable housing, paid time off, mental health resources, or community support systems, access to rest must be guaranteed for all people, regardless of their circumstances.

Dalton-Smith’s Sacred Rest underscores the importance of integrating different types of rest. When people have access to not just physical rest, but also emotional, mental, and spiritual nourishment, they are better equipped to engage with the world in a way that fosters both personal well-being and social equity. Providing spaces for individuals to rest deeply—free of guilt or shame—contributes to breaking cycles of burnout, poverty, and inequality.

Rest as Resistance and Empowerment

As Tricia Hersey notes, rest is a revolutionary act. It is an act of resistance against a world that continually demands more from us without acknowledging our basic need for rejuvenation. In a society that profits from our exhaustion, rest becomes an act of self-empowerment, a statement that we will not allow ourselves to be drained to the point of depletion.

By embracing rest, we are reclaiming our right to heal, restore, and connect with our inner selves. Rest allows us to foster our creativity, productivity, and resilience—traits that are crucial for both personal and societal growth. In fact, the act of resting is one of the most powerful ways we can take control of our energy and well-being.

As we look to a more equitable future, it is essential to provide rest as a tool for empowerment. When rest is accessible to all, it creates a ripple effect—empowering individuals, families, and communities to break free from cycles of exhaustion, inequality, and despair. Rest is not a privilege; it is a human right. It is essential for healing, resilience, and for the creation of a just society where everyone has the opportunity to recharge, thrive, and lead fulfilling lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rest is not merely a luxury—it is a tool for empowerment. As Tricia Hersey and Saundra Dalton-Smith powerfully argue, rest is a human right and a sacred act that restores not just the body but the spirit. In a world that often values productivity over well-being, the ability to rest becomes a revolutionary act of self-care and defiance. For those who lack access to a safe, stable environment, rest remains a distant hope. It’s time for us to create systems and structures where rest is accessible to all—regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or circumstance. Only then can we build a world where everyone can truly empower themselves through the healing and restorative power of rest.

As the founder and CEO of  The Deep Listening Path, I invite you to explore our mindfulness-based programs and REST Planner—designed to empower you to Rest Better and reclaim your vitality. These tools help manage stress, support mental health, and promote well-being, ensuring that individuals and teams remain resilient in the face of challenges. In a world that demands constant productivity, we believe Rest is Sacred; Rest is Resistance, and that taking the time to rest is a radical act of self-care. Our programs are designed with a compassionate, intersectional approach to well-being, ensuring they are inclusive and culturally sensitive. With recognition in CEO-Weekly, Mental Health Today, Dr. Susman’s Mental Health blog on Hope and Resilience, Wellbeing Magazine, and Apple News, we’re excited to explore how we can support your wellness. Schedule a call to discuss how we can help you and your organization Empower Yourself with Rest and unlock a pathway to sustained impact.

Image by Penny from Pixabay

About Author /

Dr. Shumaila Hemani is an internationally acclaimed artist, changemaker, educator, and certified Positive Neuroplasticity teacher, recognized for her transformative work at the intersections of music, mental health, and well-being. She was the runner-up in Alberta Blue Cross' Face of Wellness (2023) and has been featured in Canada’s National Observer (2023), CBC’s What on Earth (2022), BBC News (2022), Global News (2023), U-Multicultural (2023), the Mental Health Today podcast (2024), CEO Weekly (2024),, Dr. David Susman's Hope and Resiliency blog (2020), and OCD Recovery Diaries (2024),, Map the Systems (Canada Finals 2024) to name a few. Her song "Anticipating" was featured in a cross-Canada tour for Suicide Prevention Awareness and Hope (2020) further amplifying her commitment to mental health advocacy. As the founder and director of The Deep Listening Path, Dr. Hemani integrates deep listening, mindfulness, and self-compassion in her coaching programs, offering 1:1 and group sessions to help changemakers prevent and overcome burnout and restore vitality. Certified in Positive Neuroplasticity by Dr. Rick Hanson, and a founding support member of the Global Compassion Coalition, she empowers organizations and individuals with systems thinking and builds emotional resilience. In her contributions to Wellbeing Magazine, Dr. Hemani will offer insights into mental health, self-compassion, and systemic strategies for self and collective care, empowerment, drawing on her diverse experiences in the arts and mental health advocacy. www.deeplisteningpath.ca

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