What have others used to replace self harm as a coping mechanism?

I would use rubber bands and snap them on my wrist, which helped. For me though, ice worked the best when I was first trying to stop self harming. Writing was an amazing go-to coping mechanism for me! I would keep list around with topics to write about. I would pick one at random and either write my opinion on the subject or I would end up venting and hating on that topic! Which ever one made me feel better at that time haha it worked though :) (Eventually I actually started writing in blogs, guest blogging and writing for peoples websites). I was self-harming for almost 5 years and am now "clean". I haven't self-harmed in 1.5 years :) You can do it, too! Find something that works for you and stick with it. I would write on my mirrors and white boards, "Say NO!" or "Yes, you can!" for when my thought was "I can't do this...". I would usually hang a rubber band next to the note to remind myself that I've already come this far...I CAN keep going, I CAN do this. So can you. :)

Personally, I like to draw on my skin, though drawing on paper is also a great idea! Doing anything that focus your hands and your mind is awesome, like drawing, writing, or cleaning. I organize my closet, rearrange bookshelves, or tidy up my room when I feel the urge to self harm sometimes. The band aid trick has also worked well for me. It's when you put a band aid on the place you want to self harm without actually self harming. Many people swear by drawing on yourself with red pen in the place you want to self harm, too. I think that one of the most important things is to create distance between yourself and your blades. Hide them somewhere in your house that isn't the room you'd usually use them in, or if you feel the urge to self harm get either out of the room they're in/the room you normally self harm in. Getting outside can be really helpful!

i use my music as a coping mechanism. When somethings got me down, I go somewhere quiet and play my cello

Some things that have helped me with coping are that instead of hurting myself I'll read, write, go for a walk, listen to music, draw, or talk to a friend.

Some people used other methods of self harm, (such as squeezing an ice cube) as a coping mechanism. Some people turn to therapy and some people turn to other people. It's all unique to the individual, and our coping mechanisms will differ. What works for one, may not work for another. For example, someone may do sports, and finds that really helps them cope and take their mind off self harm, whereas another may draw instead! :}

I know that one way you can cope with self harm is to simply distract yourself, give yourself multiple things to do that you won't have time to do it.

Having a nice warm bubble bath with a cup of hot chocolate is what I use to replace self-harm. I've also asked to go for an evening walk with one of my family members, I find the cool night air helps clear my mind.

Snapping a hair tie on the wrist, holding an ice cube until it melts, taking a cool or warm shower, punching a pillow or a punching bag.

I had a friend who used to keep a rubber band around her wrist. She would snap it whenever she felt the need to cut. It worked for her. Another friend got tattoos of beautiful art, and she liked the art better than cutting, so she wouldn't cut anymore.

Questing self harm can help asking your self are the scars worth it ? Do I really want to do this again. Trying talking to people.

It's important to find something that you need to focus on.That way you will distract your thought and the urge to self harm.For example,I have used drawing as a way to get throught those urges.Do something that you love and that fulfills you but also that is distracting enough.

Personally I replaced self harm with distraction therapy, I vary what I do one time I may go for a walk another time I may use colour therapy or take a hot bath, the most effective one for me though was to have a elastic band round my wrist and every time I got the urge to self harm I'd snap it against my wrist, but to really stop self harming the underline issue needs to be addressed and worked on.

I love this question! I used to struggle with self harm but no longer do. Some of the things that helped me stop and continue to help me cope are: Music' Being open to a trusted friend/parent/relative about what's going on Watching tv to take my mind off of things Running/sports/exercise Take a shower Write/read Go shopping/buy myself something Find your "happy place", in other words, find a public place that you can find peace in. For example, for me, it's a lake near my house. Eat (although emotional eating can become unhealthy) as long as you avoid binge eating you should be okay. Play a game (video game, board game, etc.) Call someone Write down some other things on your to-do list whether it's homework, mail a bill, clean, etc. Those may not be fun things to do necessarily, but they will take your mind off of your current feelings and urges You can clean/organize something. This could take away some anxiety thus causing you to lose that urge to self harm. Those are just some of the things that seemed to work for me, I hope you guys can use them too!

I used to self harm and my coping mechanism is reading, talking with friends and playing a sport. If those don't help try going to one of our self help guides.

I found that drawing on my skin instead of hurting it helps, and keeping a journal to vent everything can be therapeutic.

Cold ice on skin and elastic band pings. The best technique in my opinion is the distraction technique; resist the urge for 5 mins and then another 5 minutes and the longer you delay it, the less you feel the need to self harm.

I have made use of the ice cube technique (hold and ice cube in your fist until the urge to cut passes) and drawing on my skin instead of cutting. drawing little doodles and designs till the urge passes

hobbies such as painting, drawing, writing stories or poetry to realise emotion, skateboarding, walking your pets, walking round the park,

Drawing patterns on the areas where they would usually harm, using nothing sharp, like felt tip pens.

You could draw on yourself with a soft tip pen or marker, painting, drawing, sports, anything that will help you relax and feel better