What is the best way to distract youself from wanting to self-harm?

Although it can be hard to stop self-harming, there are many ways to distract yourself from doing it. You can go and talk to somebody, go for a walk, rub ice on the place you usually self-harm, take a cold bath, hitting a punching bag, do some journalism about your feelings, creating artwork, put elastic bands on armas,wrists, or legs and flick them. But the most important thing is to talk to somebody.

• HIT a cushion / punch bag / throw a cushion against a wall • Smash a water melon • Kick a football against a wall • Squeeze ice really hard • Squeeze a stress ball • Tear up a newspaper/phone directory • Play loud music and dance energetically – be as wild as you like • Draw on the place you want to cut with red marker pen, fake blood or watered down food colouring • Write words on yourself with a red marker pen • Spend some energy - go for a walk/swim/go to the gym/ride a bike/go running

Things that keep your mind or hands busy are helpful. Plenty of things can serve as a distraction: Cleaning out under fingernails, playing a video game, going for a walk, writing feelings down, calling a friend, making some tea, and many more!

If you feel like self-harming, try to wait 5 minutes before you do. Once 5 minutes are up, you see if you can go another 5 minutes.

There are several ways to distract yourself from wanting to self harm. But the thing is, usually different things work for different people. For me, the best things that help me are: reading, listening to music, writing and painting. But I think the most helpful thing I do to stop myself is talking to someone. You don't have to talk about your problems; just talking to someone who cares can distract you from anything bad.

I liked making huge playlists on Spotify and listening to every song. It really distracted me and helped to focus my attention on something positive.

try to channel that energy into something else. learn to start a new healthy habit that can replace self-harm, such as drawing on yourself or something else along those lines.

Call a self harm hotline (1-800-366-8288). Also find a new hobby that makes you happy and consumes time.

Exersising helps me alot. You could also squeeze an ice cube, punch a pillow, draw on your wrist or thigh with a red marker, or try the butterfly method. Pm me if u need more suggestions or someone to talk to :)

I like to carry a notebook with me wherever I go. When I feel the urge to do something, I busy open my notebook and write down my feelings and explain why I am feeling this. If you do.t like to write, find something that you are passionate about, maybe that'll help.