So today we're going to focus on self-harm alternatives and ways to resist urges! I hope you're excited because it involves paint, glue, and other artsy stuff!
I've compiled a list of alternatives from various sources and myself. Here they are:
1. Get a soft bristled paintbrush, dip it in water or washable paint, and mark yourself where you would've cut.
2. Use a pen and scribble on yourself.
3. Gather up all the objects you use to self-harm and throw them out! Not having the temptation around you, taunting you, can maybe ease a bit of the urge.
4. Put razors in a tub of water and freeze it. If you ever want to cut, you have to wait until the ice thaws, and by then you could reason yourself out of wanting to harm.
5. Rub a layer of white, non-toxic glue (preferably Elmer's glue) on your skin and let it dry. Peel off the dried glue layer.
6. Exercise! A tough workout can alleviate frustrations and stress. Those endorphins may help too.
7. Do something non-harmful that you enjoy when you get an urge. Examples: listen to your favorite music, take a warm bath, read, talk to an understanding person, play with your pet, do whatever helps!
8. If you're an artist, writer, musician, then paint, draw, write, or sing it out!
9. Wallow for a bit. Negative emotions have to be released eventually, and suppressing them just makes things worse. So let yourself cry it out once in a while. Lie over your bed or on the floor and cry until you feel a bit better. Even better, take a nap!
9. Talk to someone you trust when an urge strikes. They can help prevent you from hurting yourself.
10. STOP, THINK, and DON'T ACT. Think about why you want to self-harm, and what good will come from it. (Hint: you don't benefit from self-harming, even if you believe you do). When you find out the why, you can figure out how to stop. . Pretending you're talking to a caring, and compassionate person can also elicit better thoughts and feelings. The key here is to role-play to debate against yourself and harmful thoughts. Creating this different perspective is a way to open yourself up to positive thoughts!
Okay, folks! This is all I have for today. I hope this helps out someone.
And remember, no one is perfect, so don't be so harsh on yourself if you do relapse. Everyone who has overcome this hurdle has once been in your shoes. The future non-self-harmer may be the present person struggling to put down a blade. Just start somewhere on your path to recovery.
