Self-harm is a very serious issue, especially in today’s society with the social pressures from the media.

While it is difficult to understand why someone would hurt themselves, it’s also hard for the one doing it to fully comprehend why they self-harm. It can be difficult for people to correctly use coping skills, which leads to the feeling of hopelessness and the desperation for any escape from the pain a person is feeling. Self-harm is a difficult habit to break and a lot of times happens as an out of body experience.

When the urge to self-harm arises, here are 50 things you can do instead of giving in:

1. Write down everything negative you are feeling on a piece of paper then destroy it.

2. Listen to music (and focus solely on the song).

3. Draw on yourself.

4. Blow bubbles.

5. Put on fake or henna tattoos.

6. Cuddle with your favorite stuffed animal.

7. Chew gum.

8. Write letters (for only your eyes) directed at the people who have hurt you.

9. Write letters for those who are there for you.

10. Pop bubble wrap.

11. Scribble on pictures in magazines.

12. Build a puzzle.

13. Count as high as you can until the urge subsides.

14. Write what is upsetting you on your body in washable marker then take a shower and rid yourself of those burdens.

15. Color an adult coloring book.

16. Sleep.

17. Bake cookies.

18. Sit in public and people watch.

19. Talk to someone you trust.

20. Hit a punching bag.

21. Watch your favorite movie/show from your childhood.

22. Drink a cup of tea.

23. Create a “happy box” (a box filled with things that you enjoy: your favorite candy, cherished photos, etc.)

24. Hug someone (including yourself).

25. Scream into your pillow.

26. Play a board/card game.

27. Put on comfy clothes and just relax.

28. Read a book.

29. Dance around your room.

30. Blow up balloons then pop them.

31. Clean your room.

32. Lay outside and look at the sky/nature.

33. Look up ridiculous videos on the internet.

34. Focus on your breathing/meditate.

35. Play with a pet.

36. Reorganize.

37. Make objects out of Play-Doh.

38. Teach yourself how to say a phrase in as many languages as you can.

39. Pray.

40. Make playlists for different moods.

41. Look at old photos.

42. Go shopping.

43. Jump rope.

44. Take photos.

45. Play on a swing set.

46. Do word searches or crosswords.

47. Build a blanket fort.

48. Participate in The Butterfly Project.

49. Remind yourself that you are worth being loved.

50. Call a hotline: