Rebooting technology often solves problems. When a computer is particularly glitchy, a restart can work wonders. Bluetooth not working? Turn it off and then on again. Wireless down? Unplug your router and wait a few minutes before reconnecting it.

We know these things.

And we know the metaphor of rebooting ourselves — body and mind.

But why are reboots helpful?

One, rest is important. It clears the slate. Gives a fresh start. Clears the mess.

And two, there’s value in the start-up sequence. The process of initiating motion. The mental feeling of putting first things first and one foot in front of the other.

That small bit of order pays dividends.

Whether you need a quick power cycle, a daily reboot, or a hard reset — give yourself that gift. Sometimes soldiering on is ineffective. Sometimes pushing through is counterproductive.