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

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