Taking care of yourself isn't just a reward, it's part of the process. Breaks help you regain focus and come back to work with a fresh perspective, which is why doing nothing is sometimes the most productive thing you can do. Force yourself to recharge by scheduling a "Do Nothing Day."

We often discuss the importance of taking breaks to be more productive, but the folks at PayScale have put together a great explanation for exactly why you shouldn't work more than 90 minutes at a time. It all has to do with our basic rest activity cycle.

We like to think that creative types who produce a lot of stuff are capable of just doing that all the time, but comic artist Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal reminds us in a new strip that creativity isn't as sustainable as it might appear from the outside.

Mac: Taking regular breaks is crucial not only to your well-being but also to your output. There are plenty of apps out there to remind you to get up from your computer every now and then, but Aware is a little different in that it simply tells you how long you've been working.

The afternoon is when most of us hit a productivity wall and feel the need for a break, but a new study suggests that it might be better to conserve your energy earlier in the day.

You probably already know that taking breaks is essential to staying productive. But what should you actually do with those breaks? Diving into a good book can help keep your brain stimulated, while giving you a chance to step back from your work.

It's important to pull yourself away from work every now and then. Breaks are one thing, but distractions are another. Breaks are focused and deliberate. Distractions catch you off guard and derail your task entirely. In fact, one study shows it takes about 25 minutes to get back into the swing of things after you've been interrupted.

Windows: We've discussed lots of apps that remind you to take periodic breaks to rest your eyes and save your sanity, but most of them have been for the Mac. Windows users can get in on the fun with EyeLeo, a completely free download that doesn't just remind you when it's time to take a break, but also dims your screen so you actually get up from the computer and go do something else.

Chrome: We've discussed the 20-20-20 Rule before, where every 20 minutes you take a 20 second break and look at an object 20 feet away to relieve eyestrain and rest your eyes. The 20 Cubed add-on for Chrome will automatically remind you to take those breaks so you don't have to set your own timer.

We've often recommended taking breaks to avoid burnout, reduce eyestrain, and stay motivated throughout the day. Working in focused intervals also can help you get more high-quality work done -- in less time, the Harvard Business Review reminds us.

Mac: We've discussed how important it is to take breaks and get up from the computer regilarly, and we love apps that help you do it. Coffee Break for Mac is one of those apps, but instead of just reminding you every so often to take a break, you can schedule the breaks whenever it suits. When it's break time, the app will darken your computer screen for the duration of your break so you can't just ignore it.