I’m sure everyone has dragged themselves out of their chair at 3am after a hard night reading the internets or levelling up in Warcraft. Trying to stand up, you can barely see straight, every muscle aches and it’s all you can do to walk as the blood returns to nether regions. Whilst this might be ok once or twice a year, people who work with computers every day need to prevent these injuries as the effects can linger for years.

Workrave is a cute piece of freeware that gives you a nudge in the right direction. Running quietly in the background of your Windows or GNU/Linux PC, it gently prompts you to stand up, have a stretch, refocus your eyes or do some exercises somewhere else. With your input, Workrave schedules micropauses, tea breaks and even tells you when it’s time to switch off the infernal machine, *gasp*, and go play outside. [Thanks Marc]

Workrave is a program that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit.