Tuesdays Alternatives To Avoid Self-harm

If you self-injure to…Deal with anger that you cannot express openly, try working through those feelings by doing something different – running, dancing fast, screaming, punching a pillow, boxing bag, throwing something, ripping something apart (soft toys)

If you hurt yourself in order to…Feel something when you feel numb inside, hold ice cubes in one hand and try to crush them, hold a package of frozen food, take a very cold shower, chew something with a very strong taste (like chili peppers, raw ginger root, or a grapefruit peel), wear an elastic rubber band around your wrist and snap it (in moderation to avoid bruising) when you feel like hurting yourself

If you inflict physical pain to…Calm yourself, try taking a bubble bath, doing deep breathing, writing in a journal, drawing, or doing some yoga

If you harm to…See blood, try drawing a red ink line where you would usually cut yourself, in combination with the other suggestions above. Fingerpaint with RED paint. Draw hands on paperand slash with red paint.

[taken in part: Helpguide.Org]