When you come to a stop sign or red light, you stop and look both ways. Likewise, at a yield sign, you pause and look both ways. It keeps us safe.

The same thing happens when we take care of ourselves. We must know when to stop, pause, and take a break.

After spending two weeks with my husband in the hospital this year, I noticed the words, Pause, Reflect, and Heal, on each patient’s door. Of course, I’ve seen this before, but it felt like a message to me this time.

When we never feel rested, overwhelmed, scattered, or burnt out, when nothing restores us or refreshes our souls, we must pause and reflect on what our body and mind need.

Saying yes to everything and everyone can cause stress, and too much pressure creates diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.

That’s why taking a break helps. It allows our brain and body to get the necessary recharge to keep going.

Even too many good commitments can wear us down if we don’t find a way to manage our time and rest.

It’s ok to say, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this now.”

We recently paused a commitment we loved because it became too much. It was physically exhausting and took time away from each other and our families.

Unfortunately, the things that wear us out and need our attention are not always part of our survival and daily routines.

Think about the hours we spend on our phones looking and posting on FB, Instagram, and all the others. Meanwhile, our families and circle of friends are waiting for our attention.

Every so often, my daughter temporarily disables her social media accounts. She says she enjoys the freedom it gives you.

Listening to and reading the news can be mentally exhausting and discouraging. Especially now when every news story turns into a political competition.

Some of us are programmed to think we must be busy doing something all the time, but that’s not true.

I recently listened to a much-needed sermon about rest. The words reminded me that rest (taking a break) is a necessity and a commandment.

The pastor pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.

God clearly said that we need to rest, and we can thank Him for pointing that out.

In six days, the Lord made “the heaven and the earth” and all living things upon the earth and rested on the seventh day of that first week.

He could have done it all in one day or moment, but I think He was setting an example for us by dividing creation into six days and then resting.

He was setting a pattern for living by reducing the tasks of our lives into workable units. As a result, we can accomplish more and feel less frustrated.

Taking a break can help us adjust our current routine and re-focus on what is essential and life-giving. To pause means a temporary stop in action or speech. It’s about listening to ourselves and identifying what restores us, gives life to our souls, and refreshes us.