stretchly

Stretchly, the latest version being 1.14.1, is a noteworthy addition to the Healthcare & Fitness subcategory within the Home & Hobby category. This program, developed by Jan Hovancik, aims to enhance productivity by reminding users to take regular breaks while working on their computers. The free nature of the program, coupled with its open source license, makes it accessible to everyone without any cost barriers.

To initiate the use of Stretchly, one must download the program file, stretchly.exe, which is relatively lightweight at 71.6 MB. Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, Stretchly is designed to seamlessly integrate into the user's workflow. By default, it operates quietly in the system tray, periodically displaying reminders for breaks. Every 10 minutes, it suggests a microbreak for 20 seconds, and every 30 minutes, it recommends a more extended 5-minute break. Users have the flexibility to postpone these breaks by 5 and 2 minutes respectively, or to finish them early if needed.

Historically, Stretchly has seen multiple versions, such as 1.1, 1.0, and 0.2, each iteration bringing improvements based on user feedback and technological advancements. This continuous development underscores the commitment of the developer, Jan Hovancik, to provide a valuable tool for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Pros:

• Free and open source
• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Customizable break intervals
• Lightweight and unobtrusive
• Compatible with various versions of Windows

You may want to check out more software, such as Stretch Break, Stretching DNA or InstantStretch, which might be related to stretchly.