Setting "posture break" reminders on your computer

We constantly tell people to set reminders to get up and move, or take a posture break from their desk to avoid the aches, pains and other negatives that come from sitting in one place for too long. But how do you actually do that? Setting up a reminder on your work computer is essential to keep you on track with this, as it's all too easy to forget, as most of us know. Simple instructions on how to do this are below. 

​Note we generally recommend getting up from your desk, even for a short time, every 30 minutes.

For Windows 11 on PC (2 simple options)

1. Microsoft To Do app
This comes pre-installed on Windows, to set up reminders on your PC quickly. The app is free and simple to use.

Step 1: Open Microsoft To Do app on your PC. If you can’t find it, download it from the Microsoft Store.
Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Step 3: In the My Day tab, click the ‘Add a task’ button. Type in your task details (posture break) and press enter to save it.
Step 4: Next, click on your task and select the Remind me option from the menu that appears on your right.
Step 5: You can choose from the suggested options or set a date and time.
And that’s about it. Microsoft To Do will remind you about the task at the specified date and time. You can also set a recurring reminder for your task by clicking on the Repeat option.

2. Using the Calendar app
Another option for setting up reminders on Windows 11 is to use the built-in Calendar app. This can come in handy if you have already synced your Google account with the Calendar app and want to view all your tasks and reminders in a single place.

Step 1: Open the Calendar app on your PC and click on the New event button.
Step 2: Enter your task details.
Step 3: Use the drop-down menu beside the Reminder to define when the app should remind you.
If you want to set up a recurring reminder, click on the Repeat button at the top and specify how frequently the app needs to remind you.
Step 4: Lastly, click on Save.

After that, the reminder will appear on your calendar app. It’s worth noting that the reminder notification will also appear on your other devices where you’ve signed in with your calendar account.

For Mac systems

Step 1: In the Reminders app  on your Mac, select a reminder list in the sidebar.
Step 2: Click the Add button  in the top-right corner (or use the Touch Bar).
​Step 3: Enter a title for the reminder (posture break).
Step 4: Do any of the following...

Add notes: Type a note below the reminder text. Press Option-Return to start a new line in the note.

Be reminded on a date and time: Click Add Date, choose a suggested date or click Custom to use the calendar to pick a date. After you enter a date, optionally click Add Time, then choose a suggested time. If you don’t enter a time, the reminder is an all-day reminder.

Be reminded when you arrive at or leave a location: Click Add Location, then choose a suggested location or start typing the name of a location and choose from the suggestions.

Tag a reminder: Click the Tag button, then choose an existing tag or click New Tag to create and apply a new tag.

Flag a reminder: Click the Flag button.

To quickly add multiple reminders to the same list, press Return after you enter each reminder.

That should help you set reminders for your posture breaks at work. Remember there really is no substitute for movement!

"Your best posture is your next posture..."