bonesandblood-sunandmoon:

bonesandblood-sunandmoon:

Please note: I’ve written this with someone specific in mind to use in their comfort box. These aren’t the only choices, and these may not work for everyone. Most are from other existing lists, but some are not.

Sources: x, support page.

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If angry or restless:

• Fill a paper with cross hatches
• Draw or write what is making you angry (and rip the paper)
• Scribble on pictures or paper (and rip up)
• Flatten aluminum cans
• Break sticks
• Cut up fruit
• — Try making a fruit salad, so there’s an incentive for the fruit to be in definite chunks.
• Make a soft cloth doll to destroy
• Build a pillow fort and destroy

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If you want a physical sensation:

• Hold an ice cube (in your hand, or where you want to self-injure)
• Snap a rubber band against your wrist
• Wax your legs
• Pluck your eyebrows
• Splash cold water in your face

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If you want to see blood:

• Wet a soft (not Crayola) colored pencil and draw on your skin
• Drip red food coloring on your skin
• Mix red food coloring with non-toxic glue *
• Use body paint *
• Use nail polish *
• Make up wounds (can also apply to bruises)
• Put a fake tattoo where you want to self-injure
• Put henna where you want to SI

* This can also give you the sensation of picking scabs.

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To keep your mind busy:

• Memorize a poem
• Write out lyrics to a favourite song
• Pick a topic and research it
• — Also can see how far off topic links take you
• Sudoku puzzles
• Math problems (stimulating, but not frustratingly hard)
• Brainstorm potential recipes
• — Unlimited budget and ingredients, set a budget, use a specific ingredient, etc.

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If you need to keep your hands busy:

• Knitting
• Crochet
• Embroidery
• Make homemade bread
• Try to make something you usually buy from scratch
• Try a new recipe
• Pull weeds
• Garden
• Clean **
• Fold laundry **
• Do household chores **
• Origami
• Organize a cluttered area **

** Unfuck Your Habitat may be a helpful resource: site, tumblr, Life Happens page, tips, Challenges (Unfuck Your Weekend, Mini, Full), etc. Note: Messiness is not a moral failing.

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If you feel like drinking:

• Listen to some of your favourite music (or music appropriate to mood)
• Write out your feelings
• Draw, paint, make art in some way.
• Convert alcoholic drinks into non-alcoholic drinks (if applicable)
• Color in a coloring book
• Cuddle a stuffed animal
• Snuggle under a warm blanket
• Read a book (or fanfiction)
• Watch a movie
• Catch up on a tv series
• Fix a favourite meal and drink

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Online programs and other crafty things that can help to relieve stress: here, here, here, here, etc. More alternatives here and here. If a comfort box isn’t your thing, an alternatives jar might be.