If possible, ask someone who already knows about your self-harming. If you kind of know how they’re going to respond, you won’t need to worry about them overreacting or freaking out. If you haven’t told anyone about your self-harming, you don’t need to start now if you aren’t ready. You could just try saying, “Hey, I’m having a rough day. Would you mind hanging out with me to keep me distracted?” or, “I’m super bored right now; do you mind if I come over to your place?”[3] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
People self-harm for a variety of different reasons. If you’re the kind of person who self-harms when they feel detached, bored, or numb, this is a great way to go. Often, just moving around will dramatically help. If you just can’t push yourself to get out of the house, don’t worry about it. There are plenty of other ways you can overcome this urge at home.
If you aren’t happy with whatever you’ve created, just throw it out when you’re done! There’s no rule that says you have to share whatever art you’ve created, and the point here is to express yourself, not document whatever you’re going through to share it with everybody. People often self-harm when they feel emotions they can’t understand or articulate. If you can find a way to explore those emotions that doesn’t involve hurting yourself, that’s always going to be preferable. That’s why art is such a great coping mechanism!
People shout when they’re scared or angry. If either of these feelings are driving you to self-harm, this may be a great way to fight through the impulse. [7] X Research source
If you happen to have some Play-Doh or clay sitting around, tearing it up and putting it back together over and over again may achieve the same effect. The upside here is that you won’t have to clean up scraps of paper when you’re done! If you want more resistance and you really want to tear into something, do this with a rag or cloth that you don’t use anymore.
If you self-harm when you’re angry, this is a phenomenal way to work past the drive to hurt yourself. If you want to work your feelings out physically but you aren’t angry per se, try going for a jog or lifting some weights. Intense physical activity of any kind should help you get past the impulse to self-harm as well.
This is a particularly good idea if you tend to self-harm when you’re feeling lost or depressed. Your home environment can impact your mood dramatically, so you’re highly likely to feel a lot better once you’ve changed your home in a positive way![11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source You could also wash and fold some laundry, do some gardening that you’ve been putting off, or sweep the floors.
People tend to look at crying as a sign of weakness, but it’s actually evidence that you’re in tune with your emotions! Never feel bad about having a good cry.
If you tend to self-harm as a way to calm down and make yourself feel better, take a hot bath or shower. The warm water will help you relax and fight through the urge. If you often self-harm when you’re kind of emotionally numb or disconnected, take a cold bath or shower. The cold water will stimulate you and shake you out of whatever emptiness you’re feeling.
Taking your dog on a walk is an especially good option, since changing your environment is often very helpful here, too. If you tend to self-harm when you’re feeling lonely or empty, this is a good way to work through it.
If you ever self-harm and you feel like you may have taken it too far, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room. Nobody will judge you or make you feel bad about yourself, and you shouldn’t let a mistake stop you from getting help before something irreversible happens. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
