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I've been clean from self harm for 4 years, but i still struggle every day. Are there ways to keep my mind off it?

Profile: benjamanji
benjamanji on May 28, 2015
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You can do things that you like, such as playing music or being with people you like, and make you happy.
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Remember that you've gotten this far! It can be helpful to focus on the good things. Practice self-care. What makes you feel better? What makes you feel good? Try to set aside time every day to do one thing that makes you feel better. If you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe.
Profile: Jackabus
Jackabus on Jul 7, 2015
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Sometimes a distraction such as involving yourself in a task is very helpful when you experience overwhelming emotions or emotional attacks. Maybe putting a few oranges in the freezer for such a moment might help you. You can take it out when needed and concentrate on the coldness in your fingers, the smell of the orange as you peel it, being slow and careful. As it thaws, eat a piece and focus on the chill, the texture, the taste. By the time you have finished peeling and eating the orange, focusing wholly on each task, you are likely to find that you have calmed down and some urges are not as strong as they were before. Keep working hard!
Profile: Infotac
Infotac on Nov 23, 2015
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Please understand that your body is made up of billions of cells, functioning just for you! Don't ever harm such innocent cells for personal issues. Try watching some comedy show or movie which you like, which may keep you away from such thoughts.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 1, 2015
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doing things with your hands - keep them busy. try writing down your feelings when you think you're about to do something, or look at social media on your phone or something
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Feb 2, 2016
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I've been in the same position as you have and I understand that it is very hard. One thing that I personally do is find something I enjoy doing and use it to distract me. Most of my solutions that I've found involve reading, playing games, talking to your friends, listening to music, (if you play an instrument then playing music), watching Youtube videos, writing or drawing are all good ways to let out the stress.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 12, 2016
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I tend to keep my mind from self harm by writing down my thoughts in a notebook or on sticky notes. It really helps and it doesn't result in pain. It really just lets you get your feelings out. If you want to completely get your mind off of it, Maybe you could start running or listen to music or sounds that seem to make you forget everything for a while.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on May 9, 2016
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Think, "Does my body really deserve this?" Being clean for such a long time is an acheivement. Nice!
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 11, 2016
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First of all congratulations, that's an amazing achievement. Sucking ice blocks, drawing, reading, taking a shower and just feel the water run over you and feel fresh and clean. Look up pictures of cute puppies and just let it all out. Write all your feelings down and then burn them, or keep them. Talk to a close friend to keep you're mind off it, you are so strong. Keep going.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 29, 2016
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I don't know about how to keep your mind of it, but there are things you can do as alterntatives to self-harm depending on what your method was, that might give you some relief. If it was because you needed to feel the pain things like waxing, holding ice cubs, or eating chilli can provide a similar pain without causing any damage. If on the other hand your self-harm was more focused on seeing the manifestation of your pain, such as blood, an alternative could be to draw on yourself with bright red marker. I don't know if this answer helped you, but I hope you feel proud of yourself for staying clean for 4 years, that takes a lot of inner strength.
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