DeskRest reminds you to take breaks, tracks focus time, idle time, and calls, and offers exercises and notifications. There’s a trial period; after that, pricing starts at $9.99/year.
When working at a computer, especially on complex tasks, it’s important not to forget to take breaks. They help relieve your mind, rest, and return to work with renewed energy.
Apps like DeskRest can help with this by reminding you when it’s time for a break — and more.
Upon first launch, the app walks you through a quick setup where you can configure:
- Focus time — the amount of time you dedicate to work
- Short break duration
- Long break duration
- Work hours
Later, you can adjust any of these options in the settings, along with several additional parameters.
For example, you can set up an idle timer. If you aren’t using your computer for some time, the focus timer in the Menu Bar will pause. After an even longer idle period, it will reset to the initial value.
DeskRest can also detect calls with colleagues. When the camera or microphone is active, the timer will pause. Another option is pausing during YouTube, Netflix, and similar sites.
When it’s time for a break, DeskRest won’t just tell you to “touch some grass” — it will suggest useful exercises to rest your eyes or improve your posture.
Other helpful features include:
- Customizing the appearance of notifications
- Gentle reminders to fix your posture
- Notifications when the workday is over and it’s time to rest
Price
You can try DeskRest for free for six days. A license costs $10 for one device, or $9.99 per year.