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.

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?

It can help to write a list of 3-5 activities you would like to try next time instead of harming. Keep the list with you or in a place you will see it when you are triggered. Try to use the skill BEFORE you are significantly triggered. Once you use the skill, evaluate how you feel. Did it help a bit? a lot? none? in what way did or didn't it help? Keep track of various skills you try over time and look for patterns. What skills help for what feelings? (what helps when you are sad, anxious, overwhelmed, angry, numb...?) It is very hard to use distractions at the beginning, but only by continually trying will you see any progress. Know you will probably still harm sometimes - that's ok. Ask yourself - why didn't I use a distraction this time? Looking back, was there an earlier time I might've used a coping skill and prevented, delayed, or reduced my harm? Forgive yourself for the times you harm, and keep working on recovery. It's along journey sometimes, but it is 100% possible to start using coping skills more frequently and easily.

listen to music or you can draw. do something to distract yourself from what you are feeling. blocking out the urges helps.

You can try painting on your arms or legs instead, or writing down your thoughts. Listening to your favorite songs or bands and doing yoga can also help!

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.

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

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