Why does cutting relieve so much stress from my life?

You're using the cutting to take away the emotional pain your feeling. When you cut your self you feel the physical pain. You know its real. It gives a sense of relief to whatever you may be going thru emotionally at the time. Sometimes it could be the site of your own blood that's compelling to watch. You may be numb to your emotions and need to feel physical pain in order to know your alive. A lot of people assume people cut because they don't want to live. That's not true in most cases. They do it to be alive to feel alive the pain sets you free in a way. Even if only for a short time.

Cutting may feel like it relives stress from our lives because we may be angry about something and we get our anger out on ourselves. But, there are much healthier ways to relieve stress what I do sometimes is read. Reading helps get your mind off of the situation for a little and helps you calm down. Music also helps, although it depends on what your listening to. Drawing is something else that helps, it doesn't matter if your artistic or not, you get your stress or anger out helps so much. Its like your physically getting it out of your system.

Well, many feel it is the physical act of switching the pain to your body, so you may "feel something" or "to not feel numb". As an ex-self-harmer, I had this mindset. In reality, it does nothing but harm your psyche more :( You can relieve stress in so many different ways, there are hundreds of ideas! Exercise, coloring, and listening to music being my favorite!

Good ways to ease stress are exercise, good sleep, and to practice coping skills. Yoga and short walk may help. Also keeping a journal about what makes you feel stressed. Learning your trigger as well.

to me, it was a coping mechanism. an unhelpful one at that. i felt and escape when i did, but realised that it was hurting others around me.

Basically when you cut, your replacing emotional pain with physical pain. So sure it helps, but whenever you cut you are taking a blade and creating wounds. If you ever feel the need to do this please contact someone on this sight. I bet they can help. :)