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Updated 16:29 IST, February 2nd 2025

What is Phone Free February? Challenge Yourself to Break Free

Campaign encourages people to reduce their smartphone usage throughout the month of February, promoting healthier digital habits and a more balanced lifestyle.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Phone Free February challenge
Phone Free February challenge | Image: representative

Info: Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the constant notifications and screen time on your phone? If so, the Phone Free February challenge might be just what you need. This nonprofit campaign encourages people to reduce their dependency on smartphones throughout the month of February, promoting healthier digital habits and a more balanced lifestyle.

What is Phone Free February?   

The challenge, co-created by Jacob Warn under the Global Solidarity Foundation, aims to make participants question their phone usage and find healthier alternatives. While going completely phone-free isn't practical for most people, the goal is to cut back on overall smartphone usage.

Participants can choose from two levels    

PhoneFlex, which involves setting new phone habits and improving digital well-being, and PhoneFree, a more radical approach that involves ditching the smartphone for the entire month. The challenge also offers focus areas such as improving sleep, work productivity, and social interactions by being more mindful about phone use.

Experts suggest various tips to help cut back on phone usage, including: 

Making your phone "as boring as possible" by disabling push notifications or changing the color filter to grayscale.

Implementing screen-free breaks, starting with breaks as short as 15 minutes. 

Using "dopamine replacement therapy" by finding healthier activities to replace the enjoyment found on the phone.

Keeping your phone out of the bedroom at least one hour before bed and using an analogue alarm clock instead.

Practicing mindfulness by trying meditations or mindful walks without phones.

Reaching out to friends and family.

Reducing screen time has been linked to numerous health benefits, including lower rates of obesity, sleep problems, and mental health issues. The challenge even helps reducing cellphone use by just an hour a day can significantly improve quality of life and levels of depression

Published 16:29 IST, February 2nd 2025