Alternatives To Self Harm

as suggested by people that use or have used self-harm as a coping strategy:

Listen to music – the louder the better

Do some wild dancing to the music

Sing along loudly

Do some cooking

Digging in the garden

Be on the net with your mates

Do a jigsaw – cause you always want to find that one last piece before you leave it.

Use a punchbag

Punch some pillows

Go for a run/walk/trampoline/exercise

Do some scribbling/painting/use clay

Write

Cry

Yell/Scream

Hold and/or throw icecubes

Call a friend

Call a helpline

Hug  a pet

Hug a teddy

Tear up cardboard/newspaper

Do riddles/puzzles

Hide under the duvet

Horse riding

Have a bath or shower with nice smelly bubbles

Watch a good DVD

Read a good book

Play the boxing game on the Wii

Check that you’re not tired, cold or hungry

Build a house of cards

Write down your worries, set them aside to be dealt with another time (maybe with your counsellor)

Play cards on the PC