> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.focusme.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Enforce Screen Breaks

> Protect your eyes and energy with automatic enforced breaks.

Staring at a screen for hours damages your eyes, posture, and energy. FocusMe's Screen Breaks rule forces you to step away at regular intervals.

## Setup

1. **Add a Plan** → choose **Screen Breaks** as the plan type
2. Screen Breaks always apply to the **entire computer** (not specific apps)
3. Configure:
   * **Work duration:** How long before a break is enforced (e.g., 45 minutes)
   * **Break duration:** How long the break lasts (e.g., 5 minutes)
4. Set your schedule (e.g., Weekly Schedule for work hours)
5. Optionally set a **minimum break time** — the break cannot be skipped until this time has elapsed, even if skip is allowed
6. Add protection if you want to prevent skipping breaks

<Frame caption="Screen Break plan settings with minimum break time">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/LfI7SMzWqID0FOrl/images/screen-break-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LfI7SMzWqID0FOrl&q=85&s=67520e773fe6321f0a164ebb3f9e68a1" width="997" height="601" data-path="images/screen-break-settings.png" />
</Frame>

## What Happens During a Break

<Frame caption="Screen break lock screen — a timer shows how long until the break ends">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/_hubRzAOL_4F9ibi/images/screen-break-active.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_hubRzAOL_4F9ibi&q=85&s=19a9da9fba7b05158b33796301a04893" width="1144" height="641" data-path="images/screen-break-active.png" />
</Frame>

* Your screen locks temporarily
* All applications continue running in the background
* A timer shows how long until the break ends
* When the break ends, your screen unlocks and everything is exactly as you left it

## Recommended Configurations

| Style              | Work   | Break  | For                                         |
| ------------------ | ------ | ------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| **20-20-20 Rule**  | 20 min | 20 sec | Eye health (look at something 20 feet away) |
| **Standard**       | 45 min | 5 min  | General desk workers                        |
| **Intensive**      | 25 min | 5 min  | Matches Pomodoro rhythm                     |
| **Extended focus** | 90 min | 15 min | Deep work sessions                          |

<Tip>The 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) is recommended by eye doctors. Use a 20-minute work duration with a very short break.</Tip>

## Combining with Other Plans

Screen Breaks work independently of other plans. You can run:

* A social media block (Block, Weekly Schedule)
* Screen Breaks every 45 minutes (separate plan)

Both run simultaneously without interfering with each other.