![]() ![]() It gives me a chance to check in about whether I'm working on the right next task. And the "normal" 10 minute break, which I have set for every hour, reminds me to get up, clear my head, move my body, and come back. The "micro" 15 second break is great because I can shake out my arms, even stand up for a second without losing my train of thought. Time Out, however, puts the need for a break literally in my face, ever so gently and kindly, but not to be ignored. ![]() I'm very good at ignoring timers and pushing through. I have tried making a plan, setting an intention, setting a timer - none of it worked in any regular way. As a public health professional, I'm also aware that 'sitting is the new smoking' - long hours without moving are terrible for one's health. ![]() I've read all the literature on improved work effectiveness if you take regular breaks, and when I do sometimes manage, my work is better. I've been plenty motivated in the past - I've had repetitive stress injuries that sent me to physical therapy for months, and sidelined me from playing tennis. Time Out is the first, well, ANYTHING that has succeeded for me. I've been trying for years to get into a regular habit of taking breaks while working at the computer. The free version is ad-free and the app is pretty good without the extras that expire without a subscription. I’d like to see more of this because it’s a good compromise between the old method where you buy an app and pay for major upgrades at a discount, and the new renewing subscription model that forces you to pay for upgrades whether you want them or not. One of the best things not mentioned in the product description is that there are well written instructions in the app for all the features there’s no guesswork. It fixes all the things wrong with all the other break timers I’ve tried, plus adds a lot of extra features without cluttering the UI. I’m super-critical of software design, and I’m impressed with Time Out. If you neglect or forget to take your eyes off the screen or get up to move around a bit, this app is for you! There’s been a lot of recent health research proving that taking frequent breaks is necessary for those who spend significant time in front of a computer. ![]()
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