As you’re in the process of figuring out what you want 2025 to look like, question: have you stopped to consider what your sleep habits should be? It’s kind of wild that although one in three people in this country say that they don’t get enough rest, and even though science continues to tell us that sleep rejuvenates us and even increases our longevity, out of all of the things that we will talk ourselves into not properly prioritizing, getting 6-8 hours a night of zzz’s is oftentimes on the very top of the list.
Why Sleep Should Be a Top Priority in 2025
Now that we’re just moments away from being (whoa) 25 years into 2000, it’s time to change all of that. If you want to look younger, you need to get more sleep. Ready to improve your mental state? Get more sleep. Wish to have a stronger libido? Yep — you already know (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”).
And what if the flesh is willing, but the know-how is weak? No problem. I’ve got 12 sleep practices that you can incorporate, one month at a time, that can have you leaving the upcoming year saying, “This year gave me some of the best rest that I’ve experienced in my entire life!” — which is something that your mind, body, and spirit will be eternally grateful for. Trust me.
12 Monthly Sleep Habits to Transform Your Rest
January: Get a Bedding Makeover
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Aight, so if it’s been 2-3 years since you’ve treated yourself to some new sheets, it’s time to make that move. The main reason is that we shed somewhere around 30,000 dead skin cells an hour, which equates to about 600,000 a day, and no matter how much you wash those sheets of yours, they still have a shelf life on the hygiene and quality of fabric tips.
Plus, it’s a good idea to have some sheet variety too — a set of cotton ones, year-round, flannel for the cooler months (the warmer your bed is, the less you will have to rely on your HVAC to keep you warm), linen when it’s warmer and a polyester blend if you want some super soft sheets and yet you’re on a budget.
While you’re at it, it also can’t hurt to cop yourself a new comforter. Down comforters are always going to be your best bet because their breathability factor will keep you from overheating (although they are great at keeping you warm as well). Some other benefits include being eco-friendly, soft, and super durable.
February: Do Some Deep Breathing Techniques
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If you want to immediately reduce your stress levels after having a long, hard day, get into some deep breathing. By doing so, not only will you feel less anxious and more relaxed, but deep breathing has also been proven to put you into a better mood, lower your heart rate, and help you sleep so much better. As far as which deep breathing techniques are best, the 4-7-8 one is popular.
It consists of breathing in for four counts, holding your breath for seven counts, and then releasing the air for a count of eight, then rinsing and repeating several times. Some other techniques that are pretty effective include diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, and the Papworth method. You can read about those (and more) here.
March: Incorporate 10 Minutes of Body Stretches Each Evening
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Something that I’m pretty sure not nearly enough of us do before bedtime is stretch our bodies. Stretching is highly beneficial because it helps to loosen your muscles, relax your body, and put your system in the state where it can better rejuvenate itself. Also, if you’re someone who works out and you want to avoid muscle spasms in the middle of the night (because ain’t nothin’ like a charley horse waking you up out of nowhere), stretching before sleeping can significantly decrease your chances of that happening as well. If you’d like to devote a bit of time to stretching out your body before catching some zzz’s, click here and here for some stretch recommendations.
April: Try This: Less Technology. More Reading.
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With 57 percent of Americans admitting that they are addicted to their phones (check out “8 Solid Reasons To Put. Your Phone. Down.”) and 60 percent saying that they sleep with their phones — a month of phone detox at night can’t hurt nobody, especially if you suspect that your phone plays a role in you not sleeping as well as you should. Matter of fact, if you are feeling that way, science can back it. Between the blue light of your screen(s) jacking up your melatonin production to your screens overstimulating and distracting you, it’s no surprise that more people are getting less rest than ever, chile.
And what if you’re someone who needs to "settle" into sleeping? READ.
Research reveals that reading before bedtime helps to put your brain on a sleep schedule, relax your body, calm your mind, and, so long as it’s not content that gets your heart racing (like horror stories or thrillers), it can bring you holistic peace, too. Just make sure that you go with an old-fashioned page-turner and not an e-book. Y’all, electronic reads still produce the blue light that I was just talking about, and so, unless you’re gonna go the audiobook route, an e-book is basically…counterproductive.
May: Take a Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc Supplement
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I don’t know how many times I have recommended taking a magnesium, calcium, and zinc supplement, but consider this to be another one. Specifically, when it comes to resting better, magnesium is good for you because it helps to relax your brain, nerves, and muscles, lower bodily inflammation, reduce PMS, decrease migraine discomfort, and regulate the neurotransmitters that are associated with sleeping.
Calcium is beneficial because it helps to prevent muscle contractions, helps your brain to use tryptophan and it can even help you to sleep straight through the night. And zinc? Zinc is a solid sleep agent because it helps to decrease inflammation, can aid in better regulating your sleep patterns, and improves your sleep quality overall. I’m telling you that I can personally attest to this because, on the nights when I take the supplement, my sleep experience is quite different than when I don’t.
June: Apply Cannabis Oil to Your Pressure Points
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I doubt that it comes as any surprise that weed use is pretty popular during the month of June. And since Cannabidiol (CBD) can be used in a variety of ways, including smoking it, eating it (edibles), capsules, aerosols, and oils, I thought I would use June as the month to provide a pressure point sleep hack. The reality is that CBD is pretty beneficial if you’re someone who deals with insomnia as it directly relates to feelings of anxiety. Some studies also reveal that if you take in CBD with a lower amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC which is the ingredient in weed that makes you feel “high”), it can also improve the quality of sleep that you experience.
And so, since parts on your body — like right behind your ear, your ankles and feet, and your wrists — are all considered to be pressure points that can help you to fall asleep quicker whenever pressure is (gently) applied to them, why not rub some cannabis oil on them as you’re winding down? Seems like an ideal combo to me. (If you’d like to give it a shot, Healthline has a list of highly recommended CBD oils right here.)
July: Attempt Some De-Stress Journaling
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If you’re not big on journaling and yet you do want to get more quality sleep in the new year, consider doing some stress journaling. It’s all about taking out some time to jot down the things that may be stressing you out. What purpose does that serve? Well, for one thing, “seeing” what’s going on in black and white can help you to organize your thoughts while writing your feelings about what’s going on can help you to feel validated — and that can reduce your anxiety levels so that you’re able to relax and sleep better.
Also, research indicates that if you make a point to share some “silver linings” or potential solutions to the cause of your stress, that can help calm and center you, which will make getting sound sleep a more realistic goal. Even writing for 10 minutes a night can accomplish all of this, by the way.
August: Play Some Nature Sounds
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I’m the kind of person who prefers to sleep in silence — well, that is until I started to do more research into how ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response), in the form of nature sounds, can do wonders…and they ain’t neva lied. Ever since I’ve been sleeping to rain sounds, I feel so much more rejuvenated when I wake up. From what I’ve read and researched, the reason why this sleep practice is so effective is nature sounds help to soothe our nervous system and reduce our natural inclination to take the “fight-or-flight” route.
Me personally, I really like listening to rain, thunderstorms or a winter blizzard although studies also say that the sounds of birds, running water or the rustling of leaves can significantly relax you too. YouTube has a ton of videos that run for hours, without commercials. Just go to the site and put the sound(s) that you’re after in the search engine. I’d be floored if you regret giving this tip a shot.
September: Implement “The Military Method”
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It actually wasn’t until I did some research for this article that I happened upon what is known as the military sleep method. If you’ve never heard of it before (either), it’s a type of breathing technique that claims that it can cause you to fall asleep in two minutes (I know, right?). Apparently, an Olympic sprint coach by the name of Lloyd “Bud” Winter came up with it, and its initial intention was to help military pilots get some shut-eye even in loud or dangerous environments.
Anyway, the method consists of things like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and mind clearing — and hey, anything that can help you fall asleep in record time is worth at least trying out. You can learn more about how to try out the military sleep method by going here and here.
October: Sip on Honey Chamomile Lattes
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Although technically, a latte is a coffee that has milk in it, teas with milk are considered to be their own form of a latte these days, too. That said, if you’re someone who likes to sip on something before turning in, the fall season is the ideal time for a honey chamomile latte. For one thing, chamomile has been proven to relax your system, in part, thanks to the antioxidant apigenin which provides a sedative-like effect. And the combo of milk and honey?
Since both milk and honey have tryptophan properties, and those properties help trigger the production of melatonin within your body, a warm cup of honey chamomile latte is a delicious way to lull yourself to sleep. (Just make sure that if you have a hard time falling back to sleep after a bathroom run, don't consume liquids three hours before bedtime.)
November: Experiment with Yoga (Sleep) Positions
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It’s been well documented that yoga can do everything from reduce stress and back pain to make you more flexible and yes, help you to sleep so much better. That’s why you might want to consider getting into a few yoga poses before getting in bed. The butterfly pose (sitting with the soles of your feet together and your knees spread as far apart as possible) can reduce tension, while putting your legs against the wall (why lying on your back) can increase blood circulation.
Oh, and speaking of poses that can help you to sleep better, studies show that sleeping on your left side can reduce snoring, keep acid reflux from being as much of an issue, and it can keep your blood pressure around where it needs to be as well. Some additional yoga poses for sleep can be found here.
December: Massage Yourself
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Professional massages are bomb (check out “12 Different Massage Types. How To Know Which Is Right For You”), there’s no doubt about that. However, if your budget is tight or you simply don’t have the time to book an appointment, that doesn’t mean that your body can’t reap the rewards — all you need to do is incorporate some self-massaging.
Yep, even rubbing on yourself will help ease stress and anxiety, bring relief to headaches, reduce muscle strain and tension, and increase blood circulation throughout your system. Tips for how to use a tennis ball to give yourself a massage can be found here. Tips for how to massage yourself with a foam roller can be found here. Tips for how to give yourself a facial massage can be found here.
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Just like your body needs food, water, and air, it needs to rest. It can only serve you well to apply habits that will help you not just to sleep, but to sleep soundly and completely. Here’s to a year of all of that, sis. Indeed.
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So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
Apparently, there was a Thanksgiving episode that featured all of the friends having dinner together. And y’all, there was simply no way that I was going to mention the latter without shouting out the original (amen?).
Okay, so with that out of the way — Friendsgiving. Something that I appreciate about twists to holidays like this is that it’s a reminder that there is no one way to celebrate special occasions. And so, if, for whatever the reason, you will not or cannot be with family during the holiday season, there are certainly other alternatives at your disposal.
That being said, if the thought of spending time with friends this Thanksgiving is something that you’d like to do, yet you’re not sure how to host it in a way that will make Friendsgiving a fan favorite for your entire circle — I’ve got 10 suggestions that can make the planning process easy as pumpkin (or sweet potato) pie.
1. Position Chrysanthemums or Orchids for Your Table Décor
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Let’s start with décor first. Listen, aside from cleaning up your place, you don’t have to be over the top. If you put together a really nice centerpiece or put a flower at each table setting, honestly, you’re all good. And if you’re someone who is big on details and symbolism, my recommendation would be to go with some chrysanthemums and/or orchids.
When it comes to chrysanthemums, not only are they a peak fall flower, they represent things like friendship and happiness. And orchids? They tend to bloom during the fall and spring seasons and, not only are they about luxury, certain orchid colors also symbolize friendship (for the record, yellow roses symbolize friendship too). Perfect.
2. Incorporate Scents That Cultivate Gratitude
Speaking of cultivating a warm and inviting space, you can never go wrong with scented soy candles — or at least having an essential oil diffuser in a few spots. Some scents that actually help to bring in the spirit of gratitude include vanilla, jasmine, ginger, cedarwood and frankincense.
3. Use Upscale Paper Products to Dine With
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Let’s be real — a lot more of us would probably host events in our home if it wasn’t for the mess that is left behind in our kitchen once the festivities are over. Wanna avoid that? Use paper plates. No, I don’t mean the cheap Styrofoam ones. SMDH. These days, there are paper (and plastic) plate brands that will low-key blow your mind when it comes to how bougie they look. Some that are worth considering are located here, here and here.
4. Handwrite Thank-You Notes (Use Them As Place Settings)
If you’re like Tiffany (from the HBO series Insecure — what a time) was at that memorable dinner party when all hell broke loose between Lawrence and Issa and you’re pretty anal — I mean, particular — LOL — about place settings, it’s a nice touch to pick up some blank thank-you cards that you can write a personalized “I’m thankful for you because…” message in. Place each one where you’d like each friend to sit. They won’t see it coming and it’s a really nice touch.
5. Have Everyone Bring Their Favorite Homemade Dish
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Okay, and what if what has you on the fence about hosting is you don’t feel like doing a ton of cooking? Chile, this is where the concept of having a potluck comes in. Get everyone to bring the dish that they claim they cook the best and make sure to let them know how many individuals you plan on coming (so that they will make enough). You can even make a game out of it by having everyone anonymously vote for the first, second and third best dishes out of the bunch. Take it up a notch by having a prize for each winner.
6. Take a Warm Drink and Dessert Poll Beforehand
You know what isn’t discussed enough about dinner parties? Folks bringing desserts that other people don’t even like. SMDH. You can avoid this from becoming an issue at your Friendsgiving by sending an email (most people prefer that to group chats; let’s be real — and make sure to BCC everyone as well) asking everyone to share what their top three favorite desserts and warm drinks are. Then pick the top 2-3 out of the bunch. That way, you won’t have a ton of (for instance) coffee cake or apple cider lying around that no one even wanted in the first place.
7. Create a Signature Friendsgiving Mocktail and Cocktail
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Speaking of drinks, another way to make your Friendsgiving memorable is to come up with a signature mocktail (for those who don’t consume alcohol) and cocktail. For the mocktail, you can also poll your friends about their favorite mocktail or fruits and come up with a mixture of your own. For the cocktail — although National Friendship Day is actually in August, I did peep that there are certain drinks that have been created in its honor. Some of them are located here for you to do a bit of tweaking on (if you’d like).
8. Ask Everyone to Share Their “Favorite Friend Quality” of Another
You know how it’s customary for everyone to go around and share what they are truly thankful for before having dinner? Well, to continue along with the Friendsgiving theme, have each person share what their favorite friend quality is about the person to their right. If folks are just meeting each other for the first time, instead they can share what they value the most in friendship overall, along with a story of how it was displayed to them personally over the past 12 months.
9. Send Each of Your Guests Home with a Fresh Gratitude Journal
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Wanna send folks home with a nice parting gift? It would be so on-trend to give each of them a gratitude journal. Listen, we are in some crazy times right through here (at least in the States) and so, encouraging your friends to set some time aside, regularly, to think about and then outwardly express what they are grateful for? That helps to keep stress down, keep things in perspective and it reminds us all to maintain a positive mindset as much as possible.
10. Watch a Nostalgic Movie
While everyone is enjoying dessert and drinks, how about watching a movie that brings back fond memories? A list of some of the most popular movies to come out previous Thanksgiving weekends is located here and a list of some favorite Black holiday-themed films can be found here. It’s a way to wind down and share some laughs before everyone heads home.
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Friendsgiving. What a wonderful way to celebrate your friends while also observing Thanksgiving in a way that is totally on your terms. And now that you know how to put it together, what are you waiting for? Hit your friends up and let them know that, whether it’s on actual Thanksgiving Day or a few days before or after, you’ve got a special dinner in mind.
One that has a good time with amazing friends written ALL over it.
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