Guides to screen breaks.
Learn about screen breaks, breathing, and Sanctuary's optional tools. Each guide explains the limits and links to the research.
Start with the question.
20-20-20 rule
Sanctuary's current reset is 20-20-60: every 20 minutes, stop screen work, look about 20 feet away, and follow a 60-second guided breathing reset. It may help interrupt prolonged near-focus and remind you to look away, but it is not a treatment for persistent eye pain or vision changes.
Paced breathing
Paced breathing means following a slow, even breathing rhythm. Research often studies rates near 5 to 6 breaths per minute, but there is no single rate that is right for everyone. Choose a comfortable pace rather than forcing an exact number.
Binaural beats for focus
Binaural beats are an auditory effect created when each ear receives a slightly different tone. Some studies report changes in attention, anxiety, or perceived state, while others find small or inconsistent effects. They are an optional sound, not a proven focus treatment.
Mindful breaks at work
A mindful break is a brief, intentional pause in which you stop the current screen task and notice your body, breathing, or surroundings. A useful break can be as simple as looking into the distance, changing posture, taking several comfortable breaths, and deciding what to do next.
Biosignals in Sanctuary
In a browser with Web Bluetooth, Sanctuary can connect to a standard Bluetooth Heart Rate Service after you consent. Signals are off by default, and account sync requires a separate opt-in. You can dismiss the slower breathing cadence Sanctuary may suggest. It is not a diagnosis.
Try a focus session.
Sanctuary pairs focus sessions with eye rest and guided breathing. It is not medical treatment.