Mac Computer Relaxation Programs

Work patterns are changing with writing, designing, mailing, photocopying and archiving now all done at the same workstation. Instead of moving around the office, workers stay in their seats, despite health professionals warning that for every 40 minutes of screen activity there should follow a 20-minute digital break. The solution is to integrate relaxation times into the work day, before the avalanche of emails, RSS feeds, printouts, to-do lists and deadlines create a digital burnout.

Break Notifiers and Alarms

A break notifier is a small program that sends out an alert when it detects an excessive level of keyboard or mouse activity. Macbreakz is one product that does this and recommends exercises and advice about moderating work schedules.

Other alarm programs such as DockTimer work on a simple countdown principle but still serve as a reminder of work lengths and can be configured to give audible and visual symbols at determined times.

Sounds and Images of Nature

Once a notifier has been installed and programmed with appropriate break times, sounds and images of nature can be integrated onto the desktop. These audio and visual stimuli can help reduce tension by playing natural sounds and images that transport the mind to other less stressful environments. Using headphones to replace the sounds of a photocopier or workmates chatting can help concentration and increase productivity.

Forest is a small free-ware program that plays background sounds from different worlds created by users. `Brook world´ is composed of a bubbling brook and buzzing insects, whilst `Storm World´ is made up of lightening and rain. The sounds run in the background at a predetermined volume distinct from the general volume levels set on the Mac.

Forest also offers a `tweet feature´ that introduces at random moments the sounds of a cricket, a bee buzzing, or a bird song before returning to silence. In the evening, the sounds can be programmed to change into night owls.

To compliment this package, Apple supplies built-in screen-savers such as Nature Patterns or Forest and with Wallsaver installed and activated, the desktop becomes a moving forest or beach that can be accompanied by the sounds of the jungle, or running water.

Pzizz

Such integrated answers cannot however supply a more complete digital break in the rather unique way that Pzizz can. Pzizz offers what it calls performance breaks or energisers. These are energy naps that consist of meditative sound files that gently encourage a reduction in mental activity, physical relaxation and revitalisation.

Pzizz plays back a lineal message but one accompanied by sounds and music that are randomly chosen every time play is selected. This is to ensure that the same track is never heard twice and each experience will remain unique.

Such performance breaks are also known as Power Napping in the corporate world, where companies like Nike offer their employees relaxation rooms to wind down from the stresses off the day. Other groups too are learning to Power Nap: New parents are adopting the technique, sports practitioners as well as creative individuals who work to very tight schedules.

The often highly competitive nature of computer-related work means that users need to build in safety nets to balance productivity and relaxation for the sake of their work as well as their health. These few programs aim to achieve what productivity guru David Allen - the man behind the `Getting Things Done´ phenomenon - has always stressed: the importance of emptying your mind. It is an ancient, but nevertheless important concept in an increasingly complex digital world.

Take an energiser break

Pzizz configuration

Wallsaver1

Wallsaver2

Dock timer

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds