Smart breaks for healthy eyes and a focused mind

LookAway is an intelligent reminder application created to alleviate eye strain, computer vision syndrome (CVS), and digital fatigue resulting from extended screen time, while also enhancing productivity. Once launched, the app operates quietly in the background, promoting eye wellness without disrupting the user’s workflow by tracking working hours and automatically shifting the Mac into rest mode once the designated focus time is achieved. During rest mode, LookAway gently blurs the Mac screen to aid in easing eye tension and plays a soft sound at the conclusion of the break. The application is founded on the 20-20-20 guideline, which helps to diminish eye strain and fatigue by intermittently (user-customizable) placing your Mac into rest mode. It provides options for both short and long breaks, alongside gentle notifications prior to the break, ensuring users can complete their tasks without hindering their workflow. LookAway is user-friendly and precisely tailors the rest intervals and durations to match the user’s work patterns. Additionally, it incorporates smart features such as pausing or resetting the timer when the user is inactive, automatically recognizing when the user is on a call or in a meeting to postpone reminders, and not interrupting during video playback. The app also accommodates work schedule preferences to propose breaks solely within the user’s working hours, offers a variety of keyboard shortcuts for swiftly starting, skipping, or postponing breaks, includes a menu bar icon for easy access to quick settings, and allows for seamless management of multiple screens. LookAway boasts a native design that integrates effortlessly with Mac OS and assists users in refocusing by playing a soft chime to signal the end of their break.