alternatives
to
self-injury
Stay in a public place
Be with safe and supportive people
Call a friend
Call your therapist
Write in a journal
Watch a funny movie
Make a no-harm contract with your therapist
Go for a drive
Do relaxation exercises
Do deep breathing
Listen to music
Read a good book
Go for a walk
Clean a closet, a dresser, the kitchen
Take a bubble bath
Go shopping
Wear a rubber band around one wrist and when the urge to harm is
strong, snap it lightly
Hold ice in your hand (sounds strange, but it works)
With a washable red marker, make marks where you want to hurt
yourself. This sometimes helps, especially if you like to see the blood.
Most importantly, get rid of anything you could hurt yourself with
back
to main page