How can you replace self-harm with another activity?

Try taking a nice hot (or cool if you prefer) shower or bath. It relaxes muscles and might take your mind off things. Also, try and delay the action. Tell yourself, "I'll self harm in 30 minutes if I still want to," then everytime you go thirty minutes, say it again and reset the time. Try finger painting, try reading, try cooking, try watching your favorite movie. Do all that you can to avoid and distraction yourself from the self-harming behavior.

Get into some kind of physical activity to indulge in while you feel this way. For most people, the thing you DON'T need to do is THINK. That is the main reason why people feel they need to cause harm to themselves.

If you feel like your self-harm is a massive problem, you could attempt running. Running alleviates the negative thoughts in your mind, causing you to forget about wanting to self harm. Walking also does this.

Hi there, it's great to hear that you are looking to replace your self-harm with something else. Could a hobby be an option for you? For example you could start a new club or take up something new for example art or reading - something you think you would like. It is up to you what you decide to do though I believe in you, you can do this! You could try something like a self-care box where you write ideas down to do activities and each time you feel the urge to self-harm then you could take an activity out of your self-care box and attempt it. I hope this helps. Remember you are amazing and we are here for you!

I think Over Eating is quite better idea. Or maybe Exercising is even better. Like, Harm your body by Working out hard. Good for health and brain as well.

Depending on the person. It can be going for a walk, write in a diary/even video diary. Something to distract you from the thought and to express your feelings in other ways. Talk to a friend or seek professional help if you can't cope alone

Well first of all, you gotta remove all of his/her essence from your life, cupboards, phones, galleries etc. second, say no to romantic kind of movies/songs/bookd n etc and start watching cartoons/action movies or start playing action games third, and most effective, get a puppy/kitten

Finding an activity or hobby to replace self-harm with can be quite hard as the urges can sometimes be uncontrollable. However, having dedication to try and replace it with another activity is important. It's vital to tell yourself you need to do this. It's all about self motivation. A good replacement could be drawing, painting.... something that you enjoy and that will completely distract you from the self-harm urges.

Light a candle, take a bath and read a good book and/or listen to some music which calms you. Distraction is key. An icecold shower is also an option, it triggers chemical reaction in your body which allow you to relax. But we should ak as keep in ming that different things work for different persons.

It really depends on your interests. But the healthier coping mechanisms are exercise, talking it out, punching a pillow or a bag, blasting some music on or even rubbing ice on your skin (-:

Instead of actually self harming you could put an elastic band around your wrist and when you get the urge to self harm you could twang the elastic band replacing the need to self harm

Self harm is one of societies' biggest taboos. Often than not, it is not uncommon. buried deep within a pile of more issues societies are facing, self harm to put in summary is ignored. A professional is far from what I am but I think that everyone going through the contemplation of self harm deserves to be heard along with their stories. A simple chat with a stranger with no identifications given gives them the confidence of reaching out without being judged nor mocked.

Try to direct your urge to doing something that can be beneficial to you. For example, playing games

The first step is noticing that you are harming yourself. Next, realize it as self harm rather than an escape. Next, find a song that you like (love), play it when you feel like you're going to harm yourself. Play it loud, and the entire song, breathe in... and out... deeply with your fists clenched. Let all your pain, temptation, emotion into them. If this doesn't work, a bike ride (or run), coloring, a nap, meditation, or other activities you partake in that aren't harming yourself can be done.

When you feel the urge to self-harm, try to distract yourself. Maybe you want to go meet up with friends, maybe you'd rather be alone. Do something you would enjoy if you weren't feeling the way you are when you want to harm yourself. For example, I like to play my ukulele or call a friend when I feel that way. It depends on what you like to do in your spare time, or what you think works best for you. It might also be good to physically distance yourself from the things you use to self-harm, as the urge might not be as great when you're not able to reach for them.

Instead of self harming in a harmful way such as cutting . A method that worked for me was always having rubber bands on my wrist so instead o causing a physical wound anytime you feel the need to self harm snap a river band on your wrist as hard or soft ad you want . This way you are still experiencing pain but it's controlled and dangerous . Another thing is find something to ground yourself with .. do an activity for five minutes take your mind of that and focus on this activity and keep putting it off 5 minutes untill you no longer feel the need to harm yourself..This can take as much time as is needed there are no quick or instant solutions

It is a process. Like replacing a habit you have to do it bit by bit. So for example before you feel the urge to self harm come up with fun activites that are easy and you enjoy doing and keep them written down or just memorize them(writing them down helps though). Then when the urge to self harm occures you can go to that list and pick the first thing(or whatever one you want) and do that for 5 minutes. After those 5 minutes if you still want to self harm you go back to doing the healthy thing or choose a new healthy thing for another 5 minutes and keep repeating this process till the urge goes away. If you doe relapse though that is fine make sure you clean up and take care of yourself and try to go longer next time each time trying to make sure you keep aiming to go longer and longer doing the healthy activity and slowly when the even that triggers you to self harm happens you will have replaced the habit of self harm with the health ones instead.

One of the best tips I have heard is using ice. One simply takes an ice cube in there hand and squeezes it. The coldness of the ice cube takes one's mind off of the thoughts of self harm. Here is a link to 146 things that can be done instead of self harm (https://www.adolescentselfinjuryfoundation.com/things-to-do-besides-self-harm). For texters there is a crisis text line as well (https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/self-harm/#how-to-deal-with-self-harm-4), or text "TWLOHA" to 741-741. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available at 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-784-2433. Self-harm is something that I as a listener wish to never have to deal with but will if that means others will feel better/receive the referrals they need.

Where you are applying the self harm why not draw something artistic in that area. You are taking away the pain and reading it with something creative and expressive.

When I was depressed my counselor told me to draw with marker everywhere I wanted to hurt myself. Try that. It might actually help. I know it did for me because I was focused on something else.

This is a great question to ask as it is clear that you want to change your destructive coping strategy. There are many things that you can do. Can you tell me more about yourself and what you like to do in your spare time?

get involved, what would you like to get involved in, sports? art ? music ? whatever it is. look it up online and become motivated everyday to do it. make it your priority

Busy yourself with your escapes and if you still fill the urge to do it try to talk yourself out of this. No one is a better friend than you and no one will understand the drive to self-harm better than you. SO if you want to stop it you can do it all by yourself. You just gotta believe in yourself sometimes.

Instead of harming yourself try exercising. It gives you something to do that will push you and help you blow off some steam.

Try to skip the cutting and just out band aids on the places you would normally self harm and if that doesn't work try taking a red marker and drawing.

Do something calming or something you love. Listen to music to upbeat music, listen to sad music, write down what you are feeling, write down all of the things you love in your life, draw, color in a coloring book, go for a run, read a book, watch your favorite TV show, eat some chocolate, call your friend, play with your pet, play a game on your phone, do some easy homework, drink tea, look through fun pictures, laugh at memes, go for a drive, take a nap, cuddle up with stuffed animals, bake something, write a story, make a bracelet, or whatever else makes you feel calm or distracts you for a little while.

Do something that takes the urge away or something you like to do. I am a large sports fanatic so I would go pick up a ball or something and just go play or even watch it on t.v.

Journaling or drawing about what self harm you inflict upon yourself can be a great substitute than actually the act.

There are many things you can do, such as put your emotions into art or music, write down your emotions in a journal, do things with a trusted friend/mentor, the possibilities are endless! You don't have to share anything you do (such as art or writing) as emotions that made you go into that may trigger you again. Be sure to be safe and have fun!! -anon

You should find a hobby that you enjoy doing, something that relaxes you or cheers you up and when you get the urge to self-harm you can remind yourself to do that activity instead.