10 things that stop you self harming

[FuzzyLittleNightmare]

Hey there everyone,

Now, unfortunately, I'm not going to give you a list of 10 things that will stop you every time you get the urge to self harm. However, I realized that there are certain things that for me, often take away (or at least lesten) the urge to self harm. So, I thought that if everyone here shared their list of things that help them not to self harm, then maybe it would help other people too.

So, I'll start off with my list :)


Reading classic novels (e.g. Dracula, Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights)
Getting a massage (not always easy to get but a foot massage helps some)
Watching Vampire Diaries
Exercising (though being anorexic this isn't something I should do a lot!)
Looking through old photo albums
Reading any vampire novel (from Interview with a Vampire to more modern stuff; I'm a sucker for a vampire story)
Walking my dog
Doing Yoga
Coming on this site (and others like it) and talking to you guys
Doing my hair (a little vain but the one part of my body I like is my hair :) )


So, anyone want to post their list? Lets help each other out!

[dontcare97]

1) Finding interest in feminism and black female empowerment.
2) Reading
3)Thinking about school
4)Focusing on drawing different figures of woman
5) Having a crush
6) My blade rusted and I have no choice but to wait until school for another one.
7) Cracked.com
8) Ignoring cravings by touching scars
9) Knowing that I don't have to stop but that I want to
10) Reading things on Virtual teen

Not in any particular order of importance, just off the top of my head.

[AppealToReason]

I'll keep the bad things off.

1. Listening to music.
2. Watching TV.
3. VT
4. Internet and games in general.
5. Playing an instrument.
6. Sometimes schoolwork.
7. Being around family.
8. Being around friends.
9. Reading.
10. Napping/daydreaming.

[morbidmonkey]

1. Listening to music
2. Talking a walk
3. Reading something i like
4. Watching a comedy or something funny
5. Write out the things i'm feeling
6. Find random stuff on the internet
7. Talking to my friends
8. Funnyjunk.com
9. Watch Tv
10. Be alone but away from blades

[Aubrie]

No particular order.

1. Practicing my cheerleading jumps (haha) and tumbling
2. Running
3. Experimenting with makeup techniques
4. Reading
5. Breathing techniques
6. Talking to my un-official boyfriend
7. Sleeping (duh)
8. Watch Adventure Time or any little kid show
9. Play an instrument, preferably keyboard
10. Do homework (ew)

[LittlePaperStars]

1) Singing.
2) Listening to music.
3) Playing with my cat.
4) Talking to my sister or a friend.
5) Writing- alot.
6) Laying on my bed.
7) Thinking about the concept of infinity.
8) Thinking in general.
9) Painting or drawing.
10) Look up random websites.

[LoveMe_HateMe]

1) Cooking
2) Reading
3) Writing
4) Sleeping/Daydreaming
5) Driving (sometimes)
6) Tidying
7) Various sites on the internet (Facebook, Tumblr, VT)
8) PS3
9) Girlfriend
10) Pure determination.

[bambino]

1. Coming onto VT to rant
2. Listening to some happy music [like Beach boys- Get Around, Elvis- Jail Rock]
3. Sitting down and having a cup of tea
4. Stroking my dog
5. Reading a book [like the OP said any good classics]
6. Sometimes schoolwork.
7. Asking Dan, Jeni, Sonia or Rach to ring me [my friends]
8. Being around people
9. Talking to my Mum
10. Having a long bath and trying to focus on pampering myself

[LifeisLife]

1. Photography
2. Just by looking at them i get so disgusted I don't anymore.
3. I want to feel strong and good about myself.
4. My closest friends
5. School work sometimes
6. Music
7. Drawing
8. Poetry
9. Taking showers
10. I want to be normal again.

[Punk_Kid]

In no order:
1. Texting
2. Reading
3. Video Games
4. Writing/Typing
5. School work/homework
6. Talking on the phone
7. Eating
8. Drinking(non-alcoholic)
9.Watching TV
10. Dipping

[AllThatYouDreamed]

1) my family
2) fire (not burning self)
3) music
4) drawing
5) talking to people
6) mind numbing games
7) genreally troling
8) cats
9) bunny
10) a nap, when im not being an insomniac

[ShadowGirl]

1) Listening to feel good music
2) Talking to my best friends
3) Going on VT to vent or help others
4) Playing piano
5) Reading
6) Going for a walk in the woods
7) Writing
8) Thinking about the people I love and how they don't want me hurting myself
9) Singing and dancing around my room like a crazy person
10) Horseback riding

[Bath]

1) Taking a burning hot shower.
2) Cigarettes.
3) Reminding myself how I want to go swimming and I can't if I have cuts.
4) Music that fits my mood.
5) Screaming into a pillow.
6) Reading a good book with a cup of coffee.
7) Talking about what's bothering me to somebody I trust.
8) Tylenol PM (puts me to sleep.)
9) Playing video games.
10) Distracting myself with VT.

[Love.Hate]

1) VT
2) talking to people
3) music
4) dancing
5) writing
6) running
7) reading something fun (magazine)
8) going out, away from the house
9) relaxing (hair, nails, face mask)
10) cigarette

[Syvelocin]

1. Significant other/best friend/parent, whether talking to them about it or just being around them. If you have a dependable boyfriend/girlfriend, ask them to just cuddle. Cuddling always makes me feel better. ^_^
2. Healing music. You can go with the calming route and listen to some new age/meditation music or you can put on some music you can't help but to move to. I like emotional music as well for when I'm having a hard time, but I'm personally not triggered by that sort of thing, so you may want to be careful if music does trigger you.
3. Treat yourself. Whatever that may include. Take a soothing bath with the new soap you got. Get a new scent of lotion to use. Have some ice cream or whatever treat you like.
4. Express yourself, through art, music, a letter you'll never send. Nothing picks me up like playing away my worries on my piano.
5. Spend some time with your pets, or if you don't have any, take a trip to your local shelter/pet store. I like to cuddle with my cat under the covers when I'm having a bad day. Pets are very intuitive, I find. When I'm feeling bad, my cat never fails to come find me to cheer me up.
6. Watch a film. Like I said, if you find yourself triggered easily by emotional situations or films that include abuse, depression, suicide, self-harm, etc. be careful with your choice of films. A comedy is usually a good choice. As well, I like to watch specials that my favourite comedians do.
7. Clean house. It's distracting, and you're also getting something done. I know not everyone likes cleaning, but just try and get started. It's a lot easier once you get started. I feel good when I clean.
8. Cold showers. They might not initially be fun, but they really wake you up. This one may be especially helpful for someone who is prone to self-harm when they face times of feeling nothing.
9. Light some candles or burn incense. Unless you're tempted to self-harm by burning yourself. Look for a lavender-scented candle or incense. Lavender is known to soothe and relief stress. You can combine this with any of the above suggestions.
10. Take a walk, or better yet, exercise. You don't have to think of it like exercise though. Run as fast and as long as you can, run out of breath, sweat. It works wonders, I assure you. Physical activity releases endorphins, just like self-harm does.

[anonymous53]

1. Seeing her face smiling at me, even from 8 hours away.
2. Fixing computers
3. School
4. Being held (Never happens...)
5. Hanging out with my friends
6. Exercise
7. Showers
8. Incense
9. Piano music
10. Video games

[RakshaMalayka]

No specific order

1. My nephew =)
2. Drawing/writing
3. Biting a pillow or apple
4. Listening to music
5. Tearing things
6. Brushing my hair (i dont know why but it works sometimes)
7. Writing or drawing on myself instead
8. Go for a run or walk without my tools
9. Coming on here/ talk to people going through the same thing
10. Tell my lil sisters a story