Quick-Start
User Account Setup
Note: you must be connected to the internet when first setting up your account!
DeskActive requires a username and password at first use to allow you to login to the DeskActive central server. These will be supplied to you via email before you begin.
If you've just installed the software yourself: you'll be prompted for your username and password at the end of the installation.
If DeskActive has already been installed on your computer:
(by your technical support team) double-click the DeskActive icon on your desktop
to start, or choose DeskActive from your Windows 'Start' menu.
- Enter your username and password when requested. Remember your password is case-sensitive.
- Click 'OK' to continue.
- Please wait while DeskActive downloads your profile.
Content Selection
When you first login, you'll be presented with an activity selection tab, consisting of a tree (at left) and details at right.
The 'Activity Programs' section is where you select your single preferred program group, including:
- General Wellbeing.
- Office Wellbeing.
- Heavy Computer User.
- And more...
Choose a program group which matches the environment you're in or the lifestyle you lead.
In addition, 'Special Focus Add-Ons' lets you add additional sessions to focus attention on a specific body areas, perhaps to further assist in preventing or relieving a problem area:
- Back (help avoid or relieve a bad back)
- Chest and Core (helps to release pressure in the centre of your body)
- Fingers and Wrist (help prevent repetitive strain injuries or RSI in hands and wrists)
- Lower Limb Circulation (help prevent deep vein thrombosis - DVT)
- Neck (great for stiff necks)
- Shoulders (loosen up tired and sore shoulders)
Finally, there are some additional Special/Treatment Stretches:
- Desk-Assisted Stretches (if you're able to use your desk to assist in stretching, this group can provide some deeper and stronger stretches.)
- Wall-Assisted Stretches (if you're able to use a wall to assist in stretching, this group can provide some deeper and stronger stretches.)
- Whiplash Assistance (if you've been involved in an accident and have a whiplash injury, this group can provide some stretches to help rehabilitate your neck; it should be used in consultation with a medical expert.)
How To Start Sessions & Mini-Breaks
The DeskActive Reminder resides in your Windows system tray (the small icons bottom right, beside the Windows clock). If it's orange you're due to perform a session. If it's green, you can still start a voluntary session.
Double-click on the DeskActive icon to start.
Note that normally when a session becomes due the system-tray icon will animate, a tone will play, and a pop-up will appear to remind you to start your session.
If you're too busy, simply ignore the reminder, or right-click the icon and select 'Remind Again In:' to be reminded later (a bit like a Snooze button).
If you feel ANY pain during an activity:
- Greatly reduce the intensity of the action.
If this doesn’t completely remove the pain: - click the 'Mail' button to send a query to your virtual health provider. They can adjust your program or advise you on how to perform the activity safely, AND;
- If needs be, click the 'Skip' button to skip the activity, until you receive advice from your health provider.
Remember your body is the best guide of what is good for you, and what is too much. Listen to it!
Bullet-Breaks
Bullet-Breaks may be periodically displayed as you're working; they're designed to keep your mind on your health and wellbeing. When a bullet-break is displayed, you don't need to do anything; it will fade out after a couple of seconds.
Performing DeskActive Sessions & Mini-Breaks
Upon starting DeskActive, you will, in order, be presented with:
1. Any newly received messages
You can read messages, and browse the messages folders.
Click 'Next' (in the bottom right corner), or hit Enter to continue.
2. A series of activities
If the activity is new to you, read the instructions (use the scroll-bar to scroll down instructions) then hit the 'Preview' button to see the activity performed.
Hit the 'Skip' button if you want to skip this activity all together (you’ll receive no progress points).
If offered, the 'Alternative' button or 'Harder' / 'Easier' buttons will allow you to select alternatives to your assigned activity (you will receive progress points for performing the alternative activity).
Click 'Start', or hit Enter to begin the activity.
Attempt to copy the activity as it animates, but note:
- If you feel more comfortable going slower or faster than the animation, go at your own pace.
- Stretch/move only as far as is a comfortable stretch, even if you can’t exactly match the animation (don't try to be a hero!).
- Keep breathing slowly and deeply at all times, especially while holding a stretch.
- Don’t complete more repetitions than is comfortable for you. The suggested number is a guide only.
- If you don’t have room to perform an activity at your desk, step away. If you can’t see the screen, you can use the voice prompts to keep pace, or simply go at your own pace.
3. Advice
Depending upon settings, after your activity you’ll receive an office health & safety or general health and wellbeing advice snippet.
Click 'Next' or hit Enter to continue.
4. Progress
Lastly you’ll receive an update on your progress.
The far right bar in the bar graph is your current week’s number of activities, and the dotted line is your weekly target.
Click 'Close' or hit Enter to complete your session.