Alternatives to Self Harming

[Foxjo]

thankyou very much for posting this ... i had a random idea last night to turn to knitting when i feel like self harming .... it's a problem ive had for quite a while but i've not really done enough to try and hel[ myself control this . i will be printing these off.

Definitely take up a hobby that uses your hands. This can then distract you from the urge.
Hobbies i do are cross stitch as it makes you concentrate on the pattern and i make christmas decorations out of felt.
This gives me great satisfaction when i can hand over a gift to someone knowing that i have made it myself and not self harmed!
Gradually by repeating this you can get out of the habit or urge of self harming.
its not easy it takes a lot of effort to resist but in time you can do it.
Hugs
Fox

 

[Cry-Baby]

Thank you so much for providing this for our community! It is wonderful to have safer options when we get that urge to hurt ourselves.

 

[tomghanini2]

Definitely take up a hobby that uses your hands. This can then distract you from the urge.
Hobbies i do are cross stitch as it makes you concentrate on the pattern and i make christmas decorations out of felt.
This gives me great satisfaction when i can hand over a gift to someone knowing that i have made it myself and not self harmed!
Gradually by repeating this you can get out of the habit or urge of self harming.
its not easy it takes a lot of effort to resist but in time you can do it.
Hugs
Fox

excuse me if I've already asked you this but my memory sucks and I don't take notes, but:

felt <- what kinda stuff do u make, do you have pickles, erm picckies. ?

Making something, following instructions, then repeating it has been an excellent source of "something to centre my thoughts on to escape the monsters". It's like u get in the zone, pureness, if ya like, like a single stroke down a cats purring back, like relistening to your fav song. You are in control, you are the master, a finished product is in your sights, it IS achievable and will be unique and that = special.

Maybe a bit load of avoidance but who the fuck cares.

 

[Foxjo]

excuse me if I've already asked you this but my memory sucks and I don't take notes, but:

felt <- what kinda stuff do u make, do you have pickles, erm picckies. ?

Making something, following instructions, then repeating it has been an excellent source of "something to centre my thoughts on to escape the monsters". It's like u get in the zone, pureness, if ya like, like a single stroke down a cats purring back, like relistening to your fav song. You are in control, you are the master, a finished product is in your sights, it IS achievable and will be unique and that = special.

Maybe a bit load of avoidance but who the fuck cares.

I make Christmas decorations like Robins, snowmen, Santa's they are a bit naive but I'm chuffed with them

 

[tomghanini2]

I make Christmas decorations like Robins, snowmen, Santa's they are a bit naive but I'm chuffed with them

You made them so they're frickin awesome and a punch in the mouth for anyone who says otherwise.

Anything you make yourself, that is unique to you, that gives you a sense of "yay me", that made you whilst making them, that posssibly helped you concentrate on something other than ,well, anything like that is immune to criticism. QED.

 

[kstan313]

Hi, I’m new to this forum and have found that these suggestions seem like they could help me, I already cuddle a soft toys and sleep with it, which I find soothing and really helps and the elastic band really helps too. Thank you guys

 

[sadpunchingbag]

watched a video on a girl who recommended elastic bands around your wrist if you get the urge flick the band onto the skin seemed ingenious i am unsure on if professional would disagree but i mean it is a better alternative to what you want to do/need to at that time

 

[elliepaige20]

These lists are all so helpful! Thank you everyone! xx

 

[Nada Importa]

I suppose the lemon (and chilli, I've had that suggested to me too) are still forms of SH but I think they're trying to suggest ways to stop the self harming.
The thinking in a different language is helping me a little at the minute, I'm learning Spanish and I've really got to simplify things and writing my short stories.
Did get a little too stressed last night and I self harmed.

I speak Spanish or did anyway.

 

[Nada Importa]

watched a video on a girl who recommended elastic bands around your wrist if you get the urge flick the band onto the skin seemed ingenious i am unsure on if professional would disagree but i mean it is a better alternative to what you want to do/need to at that time

I tried that.... bad idea!!

 

[Scapes1986]

..Talk into a pillow..
..Say your name..
..make a mental picture..
..focus on love..
..talk to your flowers..

 

[WhySoSerious]

A good one I found was using smelling salts. They are painful on the nostrils and damn powerful. If you use self-harming as a way of bringing yourself back into the moment (to avoid feeling numb) this is a certain winner.