Self-Care Sundays At Atlanta’s The Rest Spot

Last Sunday, I spent most of the day at The Rest Spot— a Black-owned, woman-owned business founded by Jena Burgess Singleton. It’s centered around the seven types of rest: physical rest, mental rest, creative rest, emotional rest, social rest, sensory rest, and spiritual rest.

Located in Smyrna, GA, The Rest Spot is a women’s only private club, but offers day passes for non-members. The main building features a cafe, common area, and a rest suite. The backyard features a grassy area, fire pit, and a few cabins, which were the other rest suites. I opted for the Sensory Rest Suite. 

Sensory rest gives your senses a break from constant stimulation. An example is giving your eyes a break from your phone and computer screens or quieting your environment. The American Psychology Association recommends doing restorative practices instead such as spending time in nature or connecting with loved ones.

I chose the Sensory Suite because it had a screened-in porch, which I thought was a great option in case I didn’t fall asleep. My suite had a variety of snacks and teas and even a kettle with hot water ready. 

I took my shoes off, poured myself a cup of cinnamon chamomile tea, hopped in bed and began reading The Road Less Traveled. It was comfy and quiet with the right amount of natural light. I made it a point not to look at my phone and after reading a few pages, I was knocked out. 

I knew I slept well because when I was awakened by a knock at the door, I was still in a daze. You can only book the suites for 90-mins, and unfortunately, my time was up. I debated whether to extend it for another 90-mins, but decided to go spend some time with my friend in the cafe, who booked the Creative Suite.

In the cafe, we were offered more snacks and drinks and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. There was an event in the next room and afterwards, they graciously offered us their food. My friend and I sat there for hours and we felt safe doing so. The staff had a calm demeanor, which only made it a more pleasurable experience. They catered to our needs and made us feel like we were at home.

This was my third time coming to The Rest Spot, but my first time using the rest suites and I’m already looking forward to booking again.