Ask Sam letter

Hi there,

Lots of people naturally turn to scrolling or watching TV when they’re feeling tired, low or overwhelmed. It might seem like you’re doing nothing, but it can actually be your brain’s way of taking a break. Taking breaks and time to rest is an important part of taking care of yourself.

Sometimes it can feel like you’re spending too much time scrolling, or that it’s hard to stop once you start. If that’s happening, small steps can help. To start, try setting gentle limits for scrolling and even set a timer to remind you to stop.

There are lots of ways to break the cycle of feeling unproductive with your time. Think about things you do that make you feel good or productive and try and plan at least one into each day. This could be something like going for a walk, drawing, journaling, or talking to a friend. We’ve got lots of advice to help you build your motivation.

Remember, it’s not what you do or achieve that makes you valuable. The person you are does that. Many people struggle with how they feel about themselves and it can really help to look at ways to build your self-esteem.

A good way to start is by writing down one positive thing each day about yourself, no matter how small. Over time these little things can build up and help you to look at yourself differently.

Try to be kind to yourself, spend time with people, and do things that make you feel more positive. We have lots of ideas to boost your mood, and you can get lots of ideas from other young people on the message boards.

Take care,

Sam