It’s easy to think that we should have a will of iron, that can stand up to any temptation.

However, anyone will tell you that it is much harder to avoid eating candy when you have an open packet right next to you.

One of the keys to overcoming obsession is to give yourself physical distance from your obsession, and to enlarge the distance between a trigger and a response.

For instance, if you are addicted to the internet, how easily accessible is your browser shortcut? Could you make it less accessible?

How often do you take breaks? If you suffer from an obsessive personality, it is usually not very often. But forcing yourself to take a break can provide the space for you to reconsider what you are doing. Try hitting our Help button as an example. If you find yourself obsessed over something - go and get something to eat or drink.

It has been recommended you have a five minute break from work every hour regardless (or in some workplaces, doing ten minutes work on something else besides computer work each hour). If you go for lunch, turn the computer off. Go for a walk, or review your To-Do list. It is a great idea if you can move some work to a space without a computer in it.

Having a physical space will let your mind focus on other things, and give it new things to consider rather than your obsession.

We’re developing a list of free software that can give you regular reminders (mac users turn up and use their voice function on their clock settings as a reminder). Some people’s mobile phones have a reminder function. You should always wear a watch if possible, too.