Published: 26 June 2018
In addition to other forms of support, self-help for self-harm can be useful in managing this habit; this includes releasing the energy or pent-up emotions that are driving you to self-harm in other ways and using alternatives to self-harm. Just remember to take care of yourself, and recognise that you might also need professional help to stop self-harming.
This can help if: You're looking for alternatives to self-harm, you want to get help for self-harm or you want some suggestions for dealing with self-harm
Releasing Emotion
As well as support from a friend, family member and/or health professional, it may also be necessary to create a list of alternative strategies to self-harm for managing your emotions. If you are feeling like you want to harm yourself, there are a number of things that you can use to distract yourself until the feelings become more manageable. These are some ideas for helping people delay or avoid self-harm that you might wish to consider – they’ve all been suggested by people who self-harm. Some ideas might seem ridiculous, but others might work. Different people find that different things help, and it isn’t failure if you try something and it doesn’t help. You will be able to add things which you have discovered. If you can, make sure that you are around other people and remove any sharp objects from the area.
Things to do to release emotions;
Alternatives to self-harm;
There are some more suggestions below that some people have tried if none of the above suggestions have helped. However, these suggestions will not help in the long run as they keep you from addressing the thoughts and feelings that result in this self-harming behaviour. These suggestions are alternatives to self-harm but they are not a solution to the problem:
Making yourself safe
Finally, Take care of yourself
It's important to eat well, exercise and be kind to yourself. While it’s not a solution in itself, doing all these things contribute to a higher sense of self-worth, increased stability of moods, and better sense of wellbeing in general - making you feel more happy, on the outside and the inside. Don’t suffer in silence, there is help out there. Call Lifeline 24hrs day on 13 11 14 and discuss treatment available.
Extract from Reach Out: http://au.reachout.com/self-help-for-self-harm