TakeYourBreak

This application helps enforce scheduled breaks during computer sessions, but its busy interface may be a bit daunting initially. TakeYourBreak's small interface is crammed with numerous controls to set break intervals and duration and specify what happens during the break. A digital display shows the time until the next break with controls to stop, pause, or reset it. The program is preset to offer ten-minute breaks each hour, alerting you 30 seconds before they begin. By default, you'll see a screensaver that displays text direction for simple stretching exercises. While the interface would benefit from a cleaner design, each of the settings could be changed in a single step and we were impressed by the wide array of options. In addition to the screensaver, you can place your computer in standby or hibernate mode or opt to log off or power off completely during a break. User-defined hot keys open the main window, initiate a break, lock the computer, or pause the timer, and you can password-protect your screen during breaks. This freeware app doesn't offer the range of exercises found in similar programs, but it is an inexpensive and effective way to schedule much-needed breaks.