Best way avoiding self-harm? What do you do?

[JohnV]

any suggestions on how to avoid self-harming when feeling awfull? what do you do when you feel awfull and depressed ?

[maddogmj77]

You could listen to music, watch TV, go to a friend's house (I do that cause it makes it so that I don't have access to cutting, and I have fun), watch some Youtube videos, take a shower, talk to somebody (I would be willing to talk, I cut too, soooo...... I'm here to help). Anything that makes you happy. :)

[Karkat]

Do something that makes you feel really good, talk to someone, remind yourself that every day is a new day- if you can make it past today, that's one less day that you're hurting yourself.

[Chrisscotland]

I go out with pals and play football or something, pc games, reading a book is good you can just disappear into it for a while, these things help me a bit anyway

[myfoodisnotshared]

Don't be alone in the dark - like, literally. I know how much it can ache to just go, to just stop talking to these people and find you're own place where you can fall back on self-harm, but it really helps to stay 'in the open'.

Find something to occupy yourself, and do it where you can be seen, such as in the kitchen or by a ground-room window. If no-one's home, go for a walk (obviously, if you live in a bad area, go somewhere central) and push up your sleeves so you can't 'hide' any harm you're doing with your hands.

Do you have scars? If you don't, it can help to wear clothes that reveal the places were you used to self harm. It's damn scary, that first time you walk out of your room, but if you can't see anything then no-one else will be able to. What I found really helped (though this only works if you have no permanent scars) is to ask a friend to go swimming with you. That way every time you want to self-harm, you think 'I can't, my friend will see'. 'Course that might be something you have to build up to - but you'll get there, some day, as long as you keep of off cutting or whatever it is you do.

Friends are vital, or family, or someone on a forum like this one. It can be hard to talk to people, both in the sense of telling them and finding the time whenever you feel down, but the rewards are great. It only takes one close friend who you can text or phone, and you have a lifeline, a sense that someone is watching over you and encouraging you. If you don't have that person, people on here are good. Sometimes just writing 'I feel like I'm breaking' or however you feel and sending it to someone can be enough, because you know that someone has heard you. However you do so, even if it's as small a thing as saying hi to a neighbour, is better than nothing.

I'd say you can PM me any time, but I think this site has silly rules about needing 100 posts, so keep quitting and know I would care ever time you messaged me, if not for the PM ban. It's so achingly tough sometimes to resist, but it is worth it when you walk out and you don't have to be scared of being caught. And if you fall off the bandwagon, just put it behind you, it happens. What matters is that you get better.

Good luck:-)

[logan69]

Run or jog and draw ;) maybe a club?

[Babs]

I kept a journal. it was a pretty good emotional release. if it wasn't enough, I'd just stab the page or something. i went 10 months clean, but relapsed not too long ago.

[laurakitty]

Listen to music punch a pillow like its u ?

[rianvice]

Okay what I usually do when I am in one of my depressed moods is that I flick on the lights, (all throughout the day I stay in the dark) because light is supposed to improve depression, if that makes sense. Then I put on the happiest non-triggering dance song on my phone and start dancing...Sometimes I feel like someone is watching me, so I just dance with the lights off... <.< >.>

If that doesn't sound too appealing, well there is another option. I stumbled upon this blog on tumblr one day. It's called the butterfly project. Basically you draw a butterfly on the area that you cut, and you name the butterfly after someone you love. You are not allowed to rub off the butterfly, if you do, the butterfly dies. Also, if you cut that area, the butterfly dies. You can look it up on Google if you want, just type in "butterfly project tumblr".

:3 I hope I helped you...