How to use it
- Set when you start, how long you'd like to play, and when you want to be asleep.
- Check the plan: breaks are spread through the session, and the stop-by time leaves an hour to wind down before bed.
- Press Start session now to run it live. Keep this tab open; you'll get an on-page alert, a soft chime and, if you allow it, a notification.
- On a break, actually stand up. On an eye rest, look at something about 20 feet (6 m) away for 20 seconds.
Why it works
Digital eye strain is common among screen users: tired eyes, headaches, blurred vision and dryness, partly because we blink less while we stare at a screen. The 20-20-20 rule, promoted by the American Optometric Association, is a simple way to take the frequent short breaks that let your eyes relax their focus (Sheppard & Wolffsohn, 2018). Ophthalmologists add that screens don't permanently damage your eyes, but do tire them (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
Short breaks give a small boost to energy and reduce fatigue (Albulescu et al., 2022). The stop-by time protects the hour before bed, when the NIH advises avoiding bright screens (NHLBI).
When to use it
- Before a long ranked grind or a raid night.
- On school or work nights, when you have a hard stop.
- When you've noticed "a couple of games" keeps turning into four hours.
Not medical advice. This is a wellbeing tool, not a treatment. If things feel heavy, talk to someone.