It’s Okay to Rest

To be a modern-day woman means to be many things, but it doesn’t always include being well-rested. According to the Cleveland Clinic, on average, women need more sleep than men. Jena Burgess Singleton became one of the many women who weren’t receiving enough sleep, so much so that it affected her health.

Burgess Singleton then took off three months from her tech job, where she spent 15 years in DEI and customer experience, to focus on herself. During this time, Burgess Singleton was doing low-functioning activities as she worked on calming her nervous system. She spent a lot of time getting herself back to center, and it all revolved around rest.

To inspire other women to take time to rest, Burgess Singleton opened The Rest Spot in the Fall of 2024 in Smyrna, near Atlanta. The women-only private club sits on an acre of land. Burgess Singleton has raised around $170,000 from women investors to bring this idea to fruition.

“I really feel like I’m in my purpose,” said Burgess Singleton.

Burgess Singleton is a mother and a new-time entrepreneur who uses The Rest Spot when she needs to take a rest.

“Work is not the issue…the challenge is our infrastructure,” she said. “I created the infrastructure I needed.”

She even “forces” her staff to take rest days during the month because it’s not just the members who need rest, too.

“We have to show up fully,” said Burgess Singleton.

Seven Types of Rest

Burgess Singleton discovered from research that there are many ways to rest, so she wanted to give women options. The Rest Spot helps women focus on seven types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative.

“I just want [women] to rest…to create pause in their life…it’s not easy, she said. “I want them to be brave enough to pause.”

The Rest Spot has different spaces to create each type of rest. One of the most common services is the Rest Suite, where women can come in and nap for 180 minutes uninterrupted.

Burgess Singleton is serious about ensuring the women are resting, so there’s a no-work lounge. No laptops are allowed in that area before 6 p.m. EST. There’s also a co-working area where members can work, connect, and eat.

More than Just Sleep

The Rest Spot offers its members weekly $15 meals from Private Chef Taiwan Hart of Hart Culinary. He also caters on Thursdays during the social hours.

Chef Hart went to culinary school and has experience in restaurants and catering. He became a private chef because he saw how difficult it was for people to eat better, so he wanted to bridge the food gap.

“It’s bigger than cooking for me,” said Chef Hart. “It’s getting people to eat healthier.”

Chef Hart and Burgess Singleton were neighbors and connected through their shared beliefs. He said he believes in the idea of The Rest Spot because he is still learning how to rest himself.

“I don’t know what my rest is. I’ve been so focused on helping people eat better,” he said.

It should be noted that Chef Hart is the only man allowed on the property.

The Rest Spot also offers on-site daycare for its members. The backyard features the kids’ club, a creative suite, a sensory suite, and a firepit. Burgess Singleton is currently raising funds to continue growing the offerings of The Rest Spot.

“We’re building a generation of little people who understand what rest is. They’re going to see rested women,” said Burgess Singleton.

To get a membership with The Rest Spot, click here.