"If you are not resting your most creative self is not showing up.."

When the world glorifies the grind, LaShasta Bell is rewriting the script. As a Certified Sleep Science Coach, Speaker, and Wellness Advocate, she’s on a mission to help us trade exhaustion for empowerment, one restful night at a time. 

LaShasta recently brought her expertise down to New Orleans during the 2025 Essence Festival weekend at the Hyatt Regency. As a featured speaker, she led two transformative 30-minute sessions designed to help attendees relax, recharge, and reclaim quality rest. Participants walked away with practical strategies to improve sleep and embrace wellness in the midst of life’s hustle. 

In this candid conversation, the 'Don't Sleep On Sleep' expert shares her insights on thriving in a noisy, hustle-driven culture and practical tips for reclaiming real rest. 

The Noise Factor: How City Living Impacts Sleep

Q: In your expert opinion, how does living in a noise-prone city with heavy traffic affect your sleep quality, and what strategies do you recommend to improve rest?

LaShasta Bell: “Houston is such a big city. I have a friend who lives downtown, and every time I visit her, I’m like, ‘How do you deal with all this noise?’ One thing I always tell people is to invest in earplugs—I travel with them everywhere because you never know what the environment will be like. Air purifiers and sound machines are game-changers too. Something that your brain can tune into rather than the highs and lows of the outside world. I’m always thinking about what gives the biggest bang for your buck. If it’s already there, why not use it every night?”

Hustle Culture: Rethinking the Badge of Exhaustion

Q: How do you feel about the hustle culture, especially here in America, and what advice would you give?

LaShasta Bell: “We’ve been conditioned to think that lack of sleep is a badge of honor—like saying, ‘I only get four hours a night’ somehow means you’re successful. That mindset is dangerous. Living an optimal life means customizing who you place around you, tracking your progress, and being purposeful in your productivity—not just busy. We have to live out our vision and values.”

She adds a truth bomb many of us need to hear: “As women, especially Black women consistently raising the bar, we’re taking on roles like never before—wives, mothers, leaders. But we are purposeful beyond those titles. Like the old folks use to say, the proof is in the pudding. Those titles cannot consume us to the point that we don’t show up in our own individuality. And here’s the key: if you are not resting, your most creative self is not showing up. You’re irritable, making mistakes, and tasks take twice as long. Rest isn’t just sleep—it’s doing something beyond what you feel subscribed to do.”

Her definition is profound:
“Rest is psychological. Sleep is biological. Sleep helps you process emotions so you don’t wake up with an emotional hangover.”

Practical Rest in a Busy World

Q: What are some practical ways men and women can start incorporating real rest in their daily routines—even with a full plate?

LaShasta Bell: “Start small. When you go to the bathroom—and if you’re not going, you need to see a doctor—instead of scrolling on your phone, pause and take deep breaths. Play your favorite song and breathe. Hydration is key, because if you’re hydrating properly, you’ll have natural breaks throughout the day.”

She also shares this tip for commutes and errands: “Instead of focusing on bad drivers, listen to your favorite podcast or sit in silence. Stillness is powerful. When I first started practicing silence, my family would look at me like, ‘Are you okay?’ But sitting still helps your hippocampus heal. That means your brain function becomes stronger. Too many people are running from stillness because they don’t know themselves. Emotional intelligence starts with self-awareness, and that’s why so many fall in love with the hustle—it distracts from the pause. But the pause is where power lives.”

The Non-Negotiables of Sleep Hygiene

LaShasta’s core advice for better sleep?

- Avoid triggering conversations before bedtime.

- Stay away from screens when it’s time to wind down.

- Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep to complete all the natural cycles.

- Protect your day to protect your night: “Sleep is cultivated from the moment we wake up. That’s where boundaries matter—who you allow access to, the energy you let in.”

- Her golden rule: “Before you set boundaries for others, you have to set them for yourself.”

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As our conversation came to a close, we asked her to share the words she lives by:
“You have done harder things with less resources.”

At just 15 years old, she endured the heartbreaking loss of a sibling, yet found the strength to show up the very next day. That kind of resilience is a powerful reminder to anyone who has ever questioned their own strength

Also, her LaShasta-ism mantra that redefines resilience:

“I don’t take losses—I take lessons.”

Because at the end of the day, real power isn’t in the hustle; it’s in the pause, the breath, and the courage to rest so you can rise.

Your Journey to Rest Starts Here: Follow @LashastaBell on social media or visit LashastaBell.com for more.