Self harm - coping strategies and alternatives

[Tiny_leaf]

A thread to share tips and strategies to help manage self harm.

[Tiny_leaf]

@gina-RO @Bananatime04 @xXLexi_Lou122Xx 

[Tiny_leaf]

A few ideas to get started:

•ripping up paper

•snapping twigs/ leaves

•destroying a cardboard box

•drawing

•listening to music

•watching a funny movie or video 

•drawing on yourself with felt tip pen

•an extension of the one above is drawing a butterfly where you'd normally self harm. The butterfly can stay there until it fades, and the idea is to not hurt the butterfly. 

•wrapping yourself tightly in a warm or weighted blanket

•anything that needs fine motor skills like braiding your hair, making something

•playing games 

[gina-RO]

Fantastic thread @Tiny_leaf  - your ideas are great, and will likely help a lot of people who struggle with self-harm. 

A few other ideas I have: 

Holding an ice cube 

Screaming into a pillow 

Going for a quick run / sprint to get out energy 

Having a cold shower 

[xXLexi_Lou122Xx]

Great Ideas for strategies @gina-RO, @Tiny_leaf!

Mine include:
Playing video games
Listening to particular types of music, matched for my mood...
Playing a musical instrument.
Drawing, or doing art in general, this is my favourite one.

I'm trying the butterfly one. I think it's a really good Idea!

[linkinpark13]

These are great ideas thank you for sharing @Tiny_leaf !

I like to try do things that will hold my focus until the feelings/thoughts pass like:

- having a cold/hot shower with some loud upbeat music playing

- sorting through my clothes/organising or folding washing

- cooking a meal that will take time and attention

- cleaning my room/bathroom/kitchen

and if the feelings don’t pass - reaching out to a trusted friend (provided they are in a safe headspace themselves and can give the emotional energy) or logging onto an online chat

[xXLexi_Lou122Xx]

That's good @linkinpark13. I like those.

[WheresMySquishy]

- Massaging yourself with cheap tools like lacrosse balls, rollers and spiky balls. Careful you don't press them into your skin too hard though!
- Squeezing a stress ball.
- Pressing or squeezing squishies.
- Stretching slime, rubber bands, or resistance bands.
- Writing or scribbling furiously.
- Throwing pillows or stuffed animals around.

[xXLexi_Lou122Xx]

Some more great ideas @WheresMySquishy. I like the squeezing stress ball one. They are so satisfying to play with.

Another one I had, was watching blackhead/pimple/cyst popping videos. They are sooo satisfying!

[Tiny_leaf]

A list of art/ craft based ideas, plus other ideas that can help keep you busy:

•Drawing or painting

•Knitting/ similar

•Making friendship bracelets

•Origami

  •If you make something small, like puffy stars, you could put one in a jar for every time you wanted to self harm but didn't, as a reminder that you've made it through those feelings safely before

•Coloring in

•Making those weird balloon and flour stress balls 

•Putting on makeup, styling your hair or painting your nails - this can be simple or elaborate, depending on what you want

•Beading/ jewelry making

•Making and using textured/ aromatherapy dough, cloud dough, or slime

•Baking/ cooking

•Box/ blanket fort (I don't care if it's childish, I'll still be making these things when I'm fifty. Plus they have the added benefit of giving a sense of security) 

•Writing, especially creative writing

•Making things from blue-tack. I personally like making blue-tack creatures, who then live on my desk until I need them