Resisting the urge to cut...
Wake up to your actual feelings, Ask for help, and Seek God. Once you decide you’re committed to stop cutting, you will find out what a struggle it is to go sober—and stay free from this horrible addiction. Even as you are beginning to recover, you still will feel the cravings to cut again. You are going to need to be prepared to know how to deal with those powerful urges. May each of these practical ideas help you, or someone you know, to be set free.
Stop feeding the monster - wait it out.
Every urge you have to cut will go away in time, but only if you don’t act on it. Each time you act on your urge to cut, you’re making that urge stronger—kind of like feeding a monster. Each time you feed the addiction, the more likely you will feel the urge to cut the next time you feel the same emotional pressure. The more you stand against the urge, without giving in, the more your urges will decrease.
Distract yourself.
One of the best ways to let the urge to cut pass is by distracting yourself with someone or something else. This will allow the moment to pass when you’re feeling the deep cravings to cut, and get your mind off of it. It’s impossible for your mind to think about two things at the exact same time. Here are some ideas on how to do this…
1. Call a friend or meet them in person. Talk about what’s comfortable for you. The key is to keep talking.
2. Take a shower. This will help invigorate your body, so physically it too, is distracted. (Make sure there are no razors in the shower).
3. Exercise – Walk, run, ride your bike, climb, swim, do yoga, etc. While you are exercising, your mind is more likely to think about something other than cutting.
4. Play with a pet. Take your dog for a walk.
5. Watch television or a non-violent, healthy movie.
6. Make yourself a sandwich, drink a glass of water or a cup of hot chocolate.
7. Listen to positive music—it will definitely help to change your mood.
8. Write in your journal – learn to express your feelings through writing.
9. Create art, or some kind of creative hobby.
10. Volunteer somewhere like a nursing home, or a hospital. In fact, getting a job will help as well. Someone people cut out of sheer boredom.
The point is: Find something else to do. If none of these ideas are possible at the moment, try finding a substitute for the cutting sensation.
1. Rub an ice cube on your skin, instead of cutting.
2. Wear a rubber band on your wrist, and snap it when you feel the urge.
3. Draw on your skin with a red marker or food coloring in the place you would normally cut.
4. Put temporary tattoos in the places you have the urge to cut.
Stop feeding the monster - wait it out.
Every urge you have to cut will go away in time, but only if you don’t act on it. Each time you act on your urge to cut, you’re making that urge stronger—kind of like feeding a monster. Each time you feed the addiction, the more likely you will feel the urge to cut the next time you feel the same emotional pressure. The more you stand against the urge, without giving in, the more your urges will decrease.
Distract yourself.
One of the best ways to let the urge to cut pass is by distracting yourself with someone or something else. This will allow the moment to pass when you’re feeling the deep cravings to cut, and get your mind off of it. It’s impossible for your mind to think about two things at the exact same time. Here are some ideas on how to do this…
1. Call a friend or meet them in person. Talk about what’s comfortable for you. The key is to keep talking.
2. Take a shower. This will help invigorate your body, so physically it too, is distracted. (Make sure there are no razors in the shower).
3. Exercise – Walk, run, ride your bike, climb, swim, do yoga, etc. While you are exercising, your mind is more likely to think about something other than cutting.
4. Play with a pet. Take your dog for a walk.
5. Watch television or a non-violent, healthy movie.
6. Make yourself a sandwich, drink a glass of water or a cup of hot chocolate.
7. Listen to positive music—it will definitely help to change your mood.
8. Write in your journal – learn to express your feelings through writing.
9. Create art, or some kind of creative hobby.
10. Volunteer somewhere like a nursing home, or a hospital. In fact, getting a job will help as well. Someone people cut out of sheer boredom.
The point is: Find something else to do. If none of these ideas are possible at the moment, try finding a substitute for the cutting sensation.
1. Rub an ice cube on your skin, instead of cutting.
2. Wear a rubber band on your wrist, and snap it when you feel the urge.
3. Draw on your skin with a red marker or food coloring in the place you would normally cut.
4. Put temporary tattoos in the places you have the urge to cut.
