After observing Dry January to reset drinking habits post-holiday season, February brings new wellness trends aimed at self-care and mental well-being. Two emerging concepts—Feel Good February and Phone Free February—are inspiring people to take charge of their happiness.

Feel Good February emphasizes self-care, love, and well-being, while Phone Free February is a campaign advocating for a digital detox to break free from excessive screen time. Both movements highlight the need to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with ourselves. But one key benefit of reducing screen time is its direct impact on serotonin production—the neurotransmitter often referred to as the "feel-good hormone."

A digital detox can naturally boost serotonin levels, enhancing mood, reducing stress, and improving overall mental health. Here’s why stepping away from your phone this February could be the best thing for your brain and body.

What is Phone Free February?

Phone Free February is a global initiative that encourages individuals to either drastically reduce their phone usage or completely refrain from it for the month. With smartphones designed to be addictive—studies show that the average person checks their phone 221 times a day—taking a break can be transformative.

Excessive screen time, particularly social media use, stimulates dopamine—a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. This constant cycle can lead to digital dependency, increased anxiety, and even symptoms of withdrawal. Phone Free February aims to break this cycle and foster healthier habits, promoting mindfulness, presence, and real-life connections.

Why February is the Best Time for a Digital Detox?

February, often associated with self-love and care, is the perfect time to reassess our digital habits. With winter still lingering, many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and excessive screen time can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

By reducing phone usage, individuals can prioritize mental and emotional well-being, leading to better sleep, improved relationships, and increased productivity. Plus, with only 28 days in the month, it’s a manageable commitment.

7 Reasons Digital Detox Can Help Boost Serotonin Naturally

1. Breaking the Dopamine Addiction Loop

Every social media notification or text triggers a small dopamine release, similar to addictive substances. While dopamine provides short-term pleasure, it can deplete serotonin over time, leading to mood instability. A phone detox allows the brain to rebalance, reducing anxiety and promoting stable serotonin levels.

2. More Time for Movement and Exercise

Physical activity is one of the best natural ways to boost serotonin. Exercise releases endorphins and promotes serotonin production, reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. By cutting back on screen time, individuals can engage in activities like jogging, swimming, yoga, or even dancing—boosting both mood and energy levels.

3. Improved Sleep Quality

Screen exposure, especially before bedtime, disrupts melatonin production, affecting sleep quality. Since serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, poor sleep can lead to serotonin imbalances. Reducing phone use in the evenings—particularly by following the 10-3-2-1 sleep method (cutting caffeine, food, beverages, and screens at strategic times before bed)—can significantly improve rest and overall mood.

4. Enhanced Social Connections

Face-to-face interactions trigger serotonin release, strengthening emotional bonds and fostering genuine happiness. Excessive phone use often leads to social isolation and weaker real-world relationships. Putting the phone aside allows for more meaningful connections with loved ones, ultimately improving mental health.

5. Increased Exposure to Natural Light

Sunlight exposure is crucial for serotonin production. Spending time outdoors without the distraction of a phone encourages natural light absorption, which can combat seasonal depression and enhance overall mood. Just 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily can significantly improve serotonin levels.

Also Read: Why Is Exposure To Morning Light Important For Health?

6. Healthier Diet Choices

Mindless scrolling is often accompanied by mindless eating, leading to poor dietary habits. A phone detox encourages mindful eating, allowing individuals to focus on nutrient-rich foods that support serotonin production. Foods high in tryptophan—such as salmon, eggs, nuts, and leafy greens—help the body naturally produce serotonin, boosting overall well-being.

7. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Constant connectivity can be overwhelming, increasing stress and reducing emotional resilience. Studies show that taking regular breaks from technology can significantly lower cortisol levels, reducing anxiety and improving mood. By participating in Phone Free February, individuals can cultivate mindfulness, practice relaxation techniques, and enjoy a greater sense of calm.

Both Feel Good February and Phone Free February promote habits that enhance mental well-being. Whether by reducing screen time, engaging in self-care practices, or prioritizing relationships, February is the perfect month to reset and refocus on happiness.

Being the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memories, thinking skills and behavioral abilities. These symptoms eventually grow enough to interfere with daily tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Association over seven million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and that number is said to increase to 13 million by 2050. Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia issues.

However, are there certain places that have more people affected by Alzheimer’s? According to the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Texas has the fourth highest number of Alzheimer’s and second highest number of deaths from Alzheimer’s in the US. The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation states that the Starr County is where 26% of Medicare beneficiaries come from. It is a rural Hispanic centric county in the Rio Grande City.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

National Institute on Aging explains that one of the biggest risk factors for Alzheimer’s is aging, most people develop Alzheimer’s when they are 65 or older with less than 10% cases happening before this. Other things include genetics, and research has shown conditions such as heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure could also be risk factors.

Researchers do not fully understand what causes Alzheimer's. They think it's due to clumps of proteins in the brain that damage brain cells. It's likely a mix of genes, how people live, and what's around them. However, one common factor that has been observed by the researchers is that many of these families come from poor economic backgrounds.

Being poor might play a big role because people in poorer areas often have worse air, drive more instead of walking, have more stress, and don't see people as much. She also mentioned that there might be bad things in the water, like arsenic, that can hurt the brain. The very hot weather in Texas could also be a problem, adding stress to the body. Finally, she noted that the large Hispanic population in the area might be more likely to get dementia for reasons we don't yet know.

How Socioeconomic Background of People Affects Alzheimer's

To understand how financial backgrounds could affect Alzheimer's, a 2018 study done by the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease showed that the number of people without jobs in a region didn't seem to change how much Alzheimer's affected lifespan. This study looked at different areas in Slovakia to see if things like how much money people have, how many people have jobs, and how much education people get affect how long people might live if no one ever got Alzheimer's disease.

However, they found that the amount of money a region had (GDP), the average pay people got, and how educated people were, did have an impact.

More education seemed to indirectly lead to a bigger impact from Alzheimer's on lifespan, which matches what other studies have found. Surprisingly, they also found that when wages and the overall wealth of a region were higher, Alzheimer's seemed to have a bigger effect on shortening lifespan. This is different from what other studies have suggested, where more money usually means less Alzheimer's.

Gardening preserves cognitive function and may also help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, among others. A new study, which was conducted by researchers in the UK, showed that those who grew and nurtured plants as well as lived in greener environments slowed down their cognitive decline. Intrestingly, there is already enough empirical evidence that shows plants reduce stress and improve memory and recall.

It is because of this that many countries have care farms, which get their name from the way they serve people's impulses to work and connect with others. Speaking to the BBC, Henreitte Bringsjord, whose parents founded one of such farms, said, "My mum and dad loved farm work, and they thought about how hard it is for people with dementia to stop working and lose their social life. So, they wanted to help people with dementia become a part of life again."

How Do Plants Help You Boost Neurological Pathways?

The study, which was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, stated that nature can significantly increase physical activity and social connection while reducing stress, which has multiple positive knock-on effects such as blood pressure, blood sugar control and healthy weight. According to health experts, physical activities really have immense health benefits, but gardening surcharges those.

To test the same, researchers from the University of Edinburgh investigated if there might be a link between gardening and changes in our intelligence over our lifetimes. The study compared the intelligence test scores of participants at age 11 and age 79. All the participants in the study were residents of Edinburgh and were traced throughout their lifetimes. Of the 467 people tested, almost 31 per cent had never gardened, but 43 per cent regularly did. The results showed that those who spent time gardening showed greater lifetime improvement in their cognitive ability than those who never or rarely did. "Between the ages of 79 and 90, cognitive ability, including memory, problem solving, and word fluency, generally declined across the board, but the earlier advantage of gardeners endured", researchers of the study said.

Besides gardening, these are the activities that can also help you boost cognitive health.

1. Physical Exercise: Improves blood flow to the brain and promotes neurogenesis.

2. Mental Exercises: Engaging in puzzles, chess, and memory games enhances problem-solving skills and memory.

3. Reading and Learning: Reading diverse materials or learning a new language strengthens neural connections.

4. Playing Musical Instruments: Enhances cognitive processing and coordination.

5. Social Interactions: Meaningful conversations and group activities stimulate cognitive and emotional processing.

6. Mindfulness and Meditation: Reduces stress and improves focus and attention span.

7. Adequate Sleep: Supports memory consolidation and cognitive function.

8. Healthy Diet: Consuming foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and vitamins promotes brain health.

9. Hobbies and New Skills: Learning new skills or hobbies keeps the brain active and engaged.

10. Cognitive Training Apps: Apps designed for memory and focus training can provide structured mental workouts.

ALSO READ: 6 Tips To Take Care Of Your Gut Health By Celebrity Doctor Steven Grundy

John Cena, the beloved WWE wrestler and actor, has opened up about his skin cancer diagnosis. Being diagnosed with melanoma twice, he recalled getting a phone call twice as his doctors told him the biopsy for came out cancerous. The first spot had appeared on his pectoral muscle and a year later it was in a different spot on his upper trapezius muscle. He explains that this information was sobering and prompted him to change his life.

He has also now become the face of Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 that moves to normalize the use of sunscreen among men. He admitted he always neglected sunscreen, but now he has added it to his daily routine. While there has been a rise in the number of cancer diagnoses, there hasn’t been a clear reason why.

Is There A Gender Gap For Sunscreen?

Cena noticed that women talk about skin care and sunscreen more openly than men. He believes it can be harder for men to start these conversations. But he thinks it shouldn't be that way. "Men are becoming more aware of taking care of themselves," he says. "We just need to make it a normal thing." Cena wants more men to use sunscreen as often as women.

Studies show that women are much more likely to use sunscreen than men. However, by the age of 50, men have a higher risk of getting melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer, than women. At any age, men are more likely to die from melanoma. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, only a small percentage of men (12.3%) always used sunscreen when outside in the sun for more than an hour, compared to a much larger percentage of women (29.0%). Younger men used sunscreen the least.

A recent survey done by Neutrogena also found that a third of people never go to a skin doctor for check-ups. Women were also more likely to be told to wear sunscreen every day compared to men. Cena believes that sunscreen is often linked to beauty in women's minds, which might explain why they use it more.

Why Is Melanoma Becoming An Increased Issue?

According to 2023 review published in the Cancer journal, in the US, the number of melanoma cases have increased by 40% from the years 2009 to 2019. The number of new cases that have been predicted to happen is 110,000, which is a drastic increase considering the 65,000 in the year 2011. The study says that there is a disproportionately higher risk of men developing cancer and by 2040, melanoma will be the second most common cancer overall.

Cena says he doesn't care if men use sunscreen for health reasons or to avoid wrinkles – he just wants them to use it. He compares using sunscreen to going to the gym for looks but getting healthier in the process. He says using SPF is "super easy," like brushing your teeth. His hope is that men will start keeping sunscreen next to their toothpaste and use it every day. Cena says his own life perspective changed after his cancer scares, and he wants to encourage others to be proactive about skin protection before it's too late.