Windows: We've discussed lots of great apps that remind you to take periodic breaks to rest your eyes and save your sanity, but most of them have been for the Mac. Windows users can get in on the fun with EyeLeo, a completely free download that doesn't just remind you when it's time to take a break, it also dims your screen so you actually get up from the computer and go do something else.


EyeLeo works much like Coffee Break for the Mac. The app reminds you to take short eyestrain breaks every few minutes, and longer, get-up-from-the-computer breaks every hour or so. You can schedule the short breaks to take place every two to seven minutes, and the long breaks every 30 to 90 minutes. When it's time for a short break, you'll get a small alert at the bottom of the screen reminding you to roll your eyes, look at an object far away (in observance of the 20-20-20 rule), or do something else to relax your eyes.


The longer breaks are a little different. When it's time for a long break, EyeLeo will dim your screen, and—if you set it in the preferences—lock it so you can't use the computer until the break is over. By default, you can press "skip" to go back to work, but the goal is to make you get up, go get a glass of water, walk around, or do something else for a couple of minutes. You can also set how long that break is.

EyeLeo is probably the best Windows break reminder we've seen since WorkRave, which we know is a favorite for many of you. EyeLeo was built by engineers who tried WorkRave and wanted something a bit more customizable, but we'll leave it to you to decide which one's the best for the way you work. EyeLeo is free, and available now.

EyeLeo | via MakeUseOf

Update: Unfortunately the developer's domain has expired, but EyeLeo is still available for download in a number of places. This download from PCWorld is a good one.

