It is great to make plans and resolve to do things but what if you forget? Well, you need a reminder. A note on your calendar might work. But that can be a problem, too. Finding the calendar to make the note, remembering to look at it, then remembering to do what the note says.
Reminders can be a big help if they are understandable and are delivered at a handy time but not too often. We use our computers often and have had good results with Break Reminder. It can be downloaded easily. It seems to be free for individual use without “support”, that is, help. We have never needed support. The options and settings are used to have the program interrupt your computing at the chosen interval. There are 2 kinds of interruptions: micropause and rest break, essentially a short break and a longer one. I have 20 seconds in 20 minutes, a repeat of that and then a 5 minute break at the end of a 3rd 20 minute period.
Ergonomically, one is supposed to look at a distant object for 15-20 seconds every 15-20 minutes, to refocus the eyes long-range and do 30 or so blinks. The moments of break are a good time to use Peggy Brill’s exercises. Spiritually, the breaks are an opportunity to search for tension and stress and then relax. Repeat the thought for the day or take a moment of gratitude for blessings. (There are almost always more blessings then I can be aware of.)
I write these messages at a convenient time during the day and put a time on them for delivery. I could use the same mechanism in Outlook to send myself a reminder. I just installed the Firefox add-on called “Reminder Fox” that will do the same thing. I have a kitchen timer by my computer and could use that for a break or other reminder.
