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Simply being around others can offer a distraction that eases the desire to self-harm. If you don’t, consider connecting with a friend who does and taking a walk together.Ĭrowded environments occasionally feel overwhelming, but sometimes, the background noise and commotion of other people can provide a sense of community and safety and help you feel less alone. If you have a dog, head out for a long ramble.Do some basic stretches while listening to music or watching a favorite TV show.Instead, try simple, low-key exercise that doesn’t require a lot of energy or equipment: Working out might be the last thing you feel like doing, of course, and there’s no need to force yourself to head to the gym. Many people who self-harm report using sports or exercise to help resist the urge. Physical activity can also offer a distraction that helps lift a low mood and relieves some of the most intense pressure of overwhelming thoughts. From there, you might move to sit on the porch or just outside your door. Not sure about going outside? Try sitting next to an open window to feel the fresh air on your face. It’s absolutely OK to start slow and progress in small steps. stopping by a favorite place that helps you feel calm and at peace.Time in nature also has a calming effect, so try simple outings like: Call 86 or text START to 678678 to reach a Trevor Project counselor for LGBTQIA+ youth.Ĭhanging your environment can offer a distraction and give you enough time away from self-harm tools that the urge might pass before you return.Text HOME to 741741 to reach Crisis Text Line.Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 80.If you need someone to talk to in a moment of distress, trained, compassionate crisis counselors can listen and offer support with finding helpful ways to cope. Below, you’ll find 7 evidence-backed tips to help you through your next painful moment, along with some guidance for when you feel most overwhelmed. When you don’t feel up to identifying new coping strategies, this guide can come in handy. It’s all too easy to reach for the one thing you know will help, even if only for a little while. Worrying what people think about self-harming behaviors can lead you to hesitate instead of reaching out for support that could make a difference.Įven when you know self-harm isn’t an ideal coping method and want to stop, you might find it hard to think of anything else during a moment of distress.You could feel guilty, embarrassed, or helpless later on.If you cut too deeply or burn yourself severely, you might need immediate medical care.Still, while self-harm might offer some temporary relief, it also comes with plenty of risks: express or distract yourself from unwanted emotions.feel something when you’re otherwise numb.When painful or difficult emotions threaten to overwhelm you, self-harm can offer a way to: Share on Pinterest Westend61 / Getty Images
