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Alternatives to self-harming

If you’re trying to stop self-harming, there’s no single easy solution.  Maybe it’ll be just a question of breaking the habit, maybe you’ll need to talk it out with a counsellor or therapist, maybe there’s something bigger that needs to be resolved first.  This list is some things you can try out if you feel like you’re going to self-harm, but would like to try something else… either as an alternative or a distraction.

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Letting off steam

• Talk to a friend/family member/therapist/crisis line/volunteer-run crisis web chat service (Oh hey!  I know one of those!)
• Go into the recycling and tear up newspapers (or phone books if you’re strong!)
• Scream!
• Go to the gym, exercise, dance
• Draw/sculpt/write what’s upsetting you, then rip/squish/burn it
• Let yourself cry
• Crunch ice
• Learn a new relaxation technique and try it out (like deep breathing)
• I hear Yoga’s really big these days!
• Find something in your closet you’ll never wear again and rip it up
• Squeeze a rubber ball (or stress ball, if you have one)

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Strong physical sensations

• Hold an ice cube in your hand
• Run your hands under really cold water
• Wax your legs (or wherever)
• Clap hard
• Take a cold shower
• Chew on something really hot/strong, like a clove of garlic or a hot pepper

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Kinda like, only different

• Draw red lines in marker or lipstick where you might cut, or paint where you might scratch
• Leave glue or clumps of Henna on your hands/arms and peel it off like a scab
• Use a toothbrush instead of a knife/razor
• Instead of punishing yourself by self-harming, punish yourself by not self-harming
• Be aware of the world - say to yourself what you see.  “The couch is green. The light is on. I can feel my shoe pinching my foot.”  This can sometimes be enough to ground you.

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Distractions

• Take a hot shower/bath
• Colour your hair
• Write out lyrics from your favorite song
• Learn to swear in another language
• Name all your soft toys
• Put a face mask on
• Listen to (soothing!) music
• If you feel safe outside, take a walk… maybe even in the rain!
• Do some cooking
• Play an instrument
• Read comics (best comic ever)
• Play a video game that takes a lot of concentration
• Plan your ideal holiday in your mind and then try and research it all online
• Read a really long list of self-harming alternatives =P

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So in a bit of a switch, I left comments on for this page.  If you have any alternatives you’d like to suggest, post ‘em! (no, the name and email don’t have to be real)

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