

Time Out looks at how long you’ve spent in different apps, and breaks it all down for you in a timeline. The app also has an activity tracker built-in, which is great for tracking how long you’ve been working on your computer. If I’m in the middle of something when it’s time for a break, I can easily postpone the break for 5, 10 or 60 minutes to avoid breaking out of flow.

This reminds me to stand up, take a short break, and relax my eyes to prevent digital eye strain at least once an hour during my workday. I have mine set so that every hour, my computer screen dims to black, and a message saying “TAKE A BREAK” appears on the screen for two minutes. Time Out lets you set reminders for yourself to take a break.

#Noizio web mac
Time Out is a Mac program that seems simple, but has some incredible functionality. Noizio is available on the Apple Store as a Mac and iPhone app: ( ) I also use Noizio when I fly out of state to shoot an engagement session or destination wedding, and prefer a relaxing mix of Sea Waves, and October Rain during the flight to clear my mind and relax. I often play a mixture of Paris Cafe, Birds in Park, and Campfire sounds when I need a productive mix for writing, reading, and editing photos. There’s an impressive library of sounds built into the app, with 40 sounds available. I’ve used it for a few years, both as a productivity tool and as a relaxation tool. Noizio is an app that allows you to blend different ambient sounds into the perfect mix for your mood. This slight distraction from ambient noises increases processing difficulty, which promotes abstract processing, which subsequently leads to higher creativity. Essentially, certain noisy environments, like a coffee shop or an oceanside beach, can help the brain think more creatively by forcing your brain to be slightly distracted. In 2012, the University of Chicago published a peer-reviewed study suggesting that there’s a link between moderate ambient noise and creative cognition.
