Jesus did not need a break, but the people did. He instructed them to do four vital things, highlighted by the four verbs: ponder, ask, understand, and prepare.
We all need to do more pondering. It can have great benefits. To ponder is to weigh mentally, to think deeply about something. Pondering is a form of prayer and a form of worship. Note the instructive examples detailed in the commentary at 1 Nephi 11:1. If we will ponder, meditate, and reflect more on the things of eternity, the Lord can also show us great things (1 Nephi 18:3).