Break Timer
A break with a clear end
A break works better when its end is decided before it starts. Set a length, step away, and let the alarm bring you back instead of checking the clock every few minutes.
Short breaks suit a stretch, water or a change of viewing distance. Longer breaks suit food, a walk or time away from the desk. Pick the length to match what you actually intend to do rather than treating one number as ideal for everyone.
Make the pause different from the work
For screen-heavy work, use at least part of the break to change what your eyes and body are doing: look farther away, blink normally, stand up or move. The commonly used 20-20-20 reminder — periodically looking at something roughly 20 feet away for about 20 seconds — is a simple comfort cue, not a diagnosis or treatment.
Persistent pain, headaches, vision changes or other symptoms deserve proper assessment rather than a longer timer. This page only helps schedule the pause.
Questions people ask
How long should a break actually be?
There is no single ideal length. Pick enough time to do the kind of pause you intend — a brief stretch or water break needs less time than a walk or meal — and decide the end before you start.
Does checking messages count as a break?
It can be a change of task, but it is not much of a break from screen attention or incoming demands. If the goal is to step away, use at least part of the pause for something different.