When triggered and wanting to cut, what helps calm you down?

[keepbreathingkeeploving]

Anyone who has self hurt knows the moment you get triggered it can easily go into a downward spiral. What have you done in place of cutting? Distraction ideas? What calms you do down the fastest? Etc. Just wondering!

[Liz94]

I think of the reasons why I am trying to stop. I think of all the people that love me and don't want me to hurt myself.
I also write a diary, Listen to music, colour in, surround myself with people.

Everything and anything I do because I am not going to allow myself to SH I really really am determind to recover.

[bitesize]

Sometimes I would go for walks and just keep walking and walking. It helped living near a beach.

[volleyballchick751]

I paint, when paint I tend to forget everything else. If I cant paint I blast music and dance

[KruSuPhy]

I hear squeezing ice helps a lot. But normally I just listen to music or lay down in my bed. It works most of the time.

[Total Light Storm]

I usually listen to music, work on things I know I have to get done such as during the school year homework, I write poems, I sometimes just go in my room and just lay there and think of how much progress I've made and tell myself that I really don't want to ruin that and that I can win against self harm. Also, if there's a lot of people around, I try to join them, even though sometimes I really don't want to, being around people helps because them being right around you helps stop the act of self harming at that moment.

[*Learningtobreathe*]

i text the best friends that helped me overcome my cutting and suicidal thoughts 9 months ago. they really listen and i dont' know where i would be without them. i blast music or write in my journal or work on the novel i'm writing. i understand how hard it is to stop.

[MacGuffin]

I usually do one of the following, when I remember to actually distract myself:

1) Go for a walk or run, dance to hip hop, do something physical
2) Call a friend
3) Bake

[Bubbles37]

Have you tried this list of alternatives?
I printed it out so I can have it on hand when I get triggered.

[*Learningtobreathe*]

thats a good idea i like it
"Have you tried this list of alternatives?
I printed it out so I can have it on hand when I get triggered."
your so smart for suggesting that bubbles

[TheCrowing]

I go out. With friends, by myself.. I just walk around, or go on a mini adventure. I live in a very urban area, so some days when it gets bad.. I hop a train and go hang out in the city.. Taking pictures calms me down a lot.

Or I play a really addicting video game. Surprisingly games don't usually trigger me.. so I wind up losing myself in one for a few hours, and by the time I'm done.. I forget all about the urges and move on with my day.

[Dont3verLooseHope]

I Would tough it out , its harder than it seems ://

1. i would usually have a cold bath / shower works wonders for me .
2. listen to music , i mean put it really loud , or doing something like punch a pillow ..

[Dez]

Most of the time I text or IM a friend and they usually end up distracting me enough, but when they're not around or something I'll try to watch TV or do something on the computer and basically am like "I'll cut after I do this..." and then I get too involved or distracted by what I'm doing that I don't.

[justfallinginlove]

Call a friend, surround myself with people, watch a favorite show, dance to music, draw!!

[HereForYou]

I struggled with this, and the best thing I could do to stop was I thought about me. I didn't think about what other people would say, or what they thought about me. I thought about the person I wanted to be, and asked myself if sh would hurt herself. It's the only way I stopped.

If you need more help with this, or need to talk, PLEASE email me. oliverluvr101@gmail.com

[LittleMissOneBigMess]

Anything with my hands help to distract me, even weird things like bend/snap/ play with paper clips, oddly enough it really calms me down, I keep a container full in my bag whereever I go, I also like to make those little beaded bracelets because it keeps me busy, also going for a walk or yoga; something physical usually helps too. I also think of all the people I'd be hurting and all the progress I'd be ruining.
Hope you find some alternatives that work for you. Good Luck

[justfallinginlove]

like bend/snap/ play with paper clips

Me too!!! Its also entertaining in class

[Dark Horse]

I usually just blast really loud angry music. Yoga is also good.

[Revolution]

I almost always call somebody. It really helps to hear from somebody I love. Either that, or I write on my blog on here. The poor abused thing.... xD
If you want more ideas, I know people have already posted it, but remember the list of alternatives!

[chook14]

getting really active used to help...like running around with my dog or just like jumping up and down or something. I think because I kind of got an adrenaline rush whenever I was about to cut, it helped when I released it in other ways, like lots of movement, jumping, running etc.

[Magaly]

-I listen to music
-Cry
-Write songs/poems
-Talk to my friends
-Help people on Teen Help
-Make lists

That's what i can think of right now

[bayhorse321]

What I tend to do in these moments is to go for a jog. My passion is horses so I jog to the nearest stable which is about 2 miles and I just stand at the fence and watch them. I would say to find something worth stopping for, set a goal and when you beat it go longer. You will feel better about yourself and the achievements you have overcome. You can beat this. I also tend to write and draw, or surround myself by people I love so I am more tempted to fight the urge. I hope this helps.
If you want to talk to me at all by pm or vm I will always reply.
Much love
Your friend ~Shana~

[bailatyvm]

I dance. I dance lots. Until I can't think and I'm so tired I just want to sleep.

[Alaska]

I either get on and chat to my friends about random stuff, sit downstairs with my parents, or organize stuff. Like my books. I'll take them all of my shelf and put them all back. O.o kinda weird I know...but it works.

[Cabron]

I order tons and tons of books from the library. It's usually a pretty effective way of distracting myself, as I'm very picky about what I read. Or I look at houses on Craigslist. (Yeah, it's weird.)

[Bubbles37]

It's kinda weird, but what really helps me is listening to the Beatles and doing crossword puzzles. I grew up listening to the Beatles, so their music is comforting to me.

[Theunis42]

Depending on the situation, see what's possible for you to do. Sometimes I would write poems, or just write my thoughts down. Try tickling or rubbing your arm, listen to some of your favorite music. Talk to a friend. Whatever you do, try your hardest to get your mind off of any possible plans. Once you're down and under, it's hard to get back up, but you can do it It's possible, keep trying

[AngelWithASecret]

I find that playing guitar helps me the most because it gets out all my frustration and it really calms me down

I'm literally cracking up right now though because I hurt some of my fingers pretty badly a few days ago and now I can't play guitar until they're fully better . So for the time being I'll just have to stick to listening to music