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

Drawing on your skin with a sharpie is a great distraction. Calling a friend - especially one that can relate to and commiserate with your situation - is often helpful. Exercising to the point of exhaustion is another option that might distract you, as is loud music.

The biggest step in distracting yourself from self-harm is doing some activity, even if this means forcing yourself to do something you may not really want to do. When our minds are in a place where we want to harm ourselves, we lose interest in activities that we normally find enjoyment in. So, distracting from self-harm means that we force ourselves to take that first step until the urge is diminished or gone.

Every time, I'd tried to harm myself, I'd think of what I'd say to other people when they'd ask me how the scars came. I'd know that pain would do me no good. Just raise lots of questions in other people's minds.

For me, I just listen to calming, positive music. I also like to hold ice tightly in my hand and that usually helps me for the most part. Another thing I usually do is force myself to be around positive, uplifting people that I know will make me smile or laugh.

I feel as if the best way to distract yourself is to do something you are passionate about to distract you! It could be drawing, reading, exercising, anything!

I worked with a few kids about this and they've done really well. It started with just a rubber band or a hair tie on the wrist and snapping it when you had the urge and then it moved into more creative outlets like crafts or music or dancing, etc.

I think the best way is to go for a run or be with your friends, one think I do when I really get that urge is that I get a sharpie or a lipstick and draw lines on my arm.

From my experience the best way is to be distracted- in a good way of course. Schedule activities that you enjoy to keep yourself busy and happy. Take care!

If you are wanting to harm yourself try using a pen or punching a pillow. This helps without physically hurting yourself

There are many methods one might use as a distraction. Some things are just doing activities you enjoy - like going for a walk or listening to music or playing a video game. Other options could be to draw on yourself where you're wanting to hurt yourself instead of hurting yourself. Maybe drawing a butterfly (the Butterfly Project) or writing the name of someone you care about to deter yourself. Others have used snapping rubber bands or even ice on your skin to prevent cutting.