Breaks

Why Breaks Matter

Your brain isn’t a machine (though Set might make you feel superhuman). Regular breaks help you stay focused, avoid burnout, and actually get more done. Plus, there are 4 break achievements to unlock—from “Break Starter” to “Break Guru”—because self-care deserves recognition.

Adding Breaks

  1. Tap Add Break from the ellipsis menu in Today view
  2. Choose a duration: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 minutes, or 1, 1.5, 2 hours
  3. The break is inserted after the selected task in your timeline

Breaks are scheduled just like tasks, keeping your timeline accurate while building in rest.

Using Breaks

  • Timer View: Breaks appear in the Timer alongside tasks. Time them like any other task and mark them complete when finished.
  • Edit Duration: Swipe right on a break in today view to adjust its length
  • Notifications: Get notified when breaks start and end (configure in Settings → Notifications)

Break Timing for ADHD Minds

While everyone’s rhythms differ, research suggests ADHD brains thrive with:

Short Focus Bursts

  • 25–30 minutes work + 5-minute break (Pomodoro style)
  • 45–50 minutes work + 10–15-minute break (stronger focus mode)

Midday Reset After 2–3 hours of cumulative work, take a longer 30–45 minute break to reset dopamine levels and prevent afternoon crashes. Perfect for moving, eating, or getting light exposure.

Microbreaks Every hour or two, even a 1–2 minute pause (standing, stretching, breathing) reduces overwhelm and prevents hyperfocus burnout.

The Key: Consistency over length. Knowing “a break is always coming soon” keeps focus sustainable.

As you take more breaks, you’ll unlock achievements: “Break Starter” at 5 breaks, “Break Taker” at 25, “Break Master” at 50, and finally “Break Guru” at 100. Click the trophy icon in the Statistics view to view your achievements.