Intermission For Mac

The health problems caused by sitting in front of a computer for too long are well documented, but it is still difficult to follow expert advice on the matter. We often forget to take steps that would alleviate these issues, such as getting up from our desks or looking away from the screen every once in a while.

Breaks For Eyes is a small macOS app that can help you avoid eye strain and a number of other related health issues. It reminds you to look away from your Mac every 20 minutes, following the 20-20-20 rule.

Reading up on the potential issues caused by extended computer use can be quite depressing, especially if it's not something you can avoid. They range from eye strain, dry eyes, neck pain, blurred vision, headaches and more.

Thankfully, there are some simple solutions that can alleviate some of these problems, if not get rid of them altogether. One of them is the 20-20-20 rule, which states that you should look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes while at your desk.

While looking away from your Mac for a few seconds every 20 minutes sounds simple, it is something you can easily forget. This app makes sure you follow the 20-20-20 rule without exception, displaying a message on your screen that only goes away after the recommended 20 seconds have passed.

Naturally, it is sometimes impossible or unnecessary to look away from your screen. For instance, you might be in the middle of a conference call or watching a movie. That is why the application allows you to skip breaks for a certain amount of time, and you can also cancel them when the message is displayed on your desktop.

Once you have completed a break, Breaks For Eyes goes back to the menu bar, where it can be accessed if you want to disable breaks for any reason. It can have a beneficial effect in the long term, and it only requires you to look away from your screen for a paltry 20 seconds every 20 minutes, which should be pretty easy to manage.