Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How to cope with stress and depression without self harming?

11 Answers
Last Updated: 03/28/2022 at 10:02pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Stacy Overton, PhD.

Counselor

I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and also a professor of counseling. I have a passion for peoples stories and helping to guide and empower the human spirit.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
February 26th, 2015 7:22pm
Find something that makes you feel better without causing pain. Think about what calms you down, maybe a book you like to read or music that you like. Also think about things you're good at.
Anonymous
May 7th, 2015 5:47pm
The best way to cope with stress and depression without self-harming is to talk about your emotions, do not keep them bottled up. Keeping a journal on you is good for racing thoughts when you can not speak to a trusted friend - but if you do have a friend available, a conversation with them about what you are going through also helps.
Anonymous
May 20th, 2015 11:03pm
There is many ways to cope with stress and depression without self harming. You can draw on yourself instead of self harming. Do something positive like a hobby or my favorite...read! Reading is my favorite way of forgetting all the stress and problems i am dealing with without harming my self or others.
Anonymous
March 26th, 2015 1:29am
I have dysthymia, a form of mild, long term depression, and I used to self harm. The best way to avoid doing this, I've found, is to distract yourself in a mood improving or releasing way. I write, draw, scream into a pillow or just simply read or listen to loud music until the stress has diminished.
HealingLotus
May 6th, 2015 2:33am
By not letting it stuck to you. Be mindful of what you think and feel, don't judge it, just observe it. It's a form of meditation, however also awareness. Once we stop judging and resisting how we feel, the flow of healing begin. Not a second before hand.
Anonymous
March 15th, 2016 8:37pm
instead of cutting ourself we can prefer cutting an old diary's pages.. or hitting the punching bag .. screaming into the pillow helps .. as the frustration drains quickly
HelloChell0
October 17th, 2016 9:00pm
Find an alternative coping method! Something you like to do. For example, take up a hobby - Draw, sing, write.. Something you really enjoy doing to take your mind off whatever it is making you feel that way!
Anonymous
April 3rd, 2017 9:17am
Don't overwork your mind by thinking of the things that you need to do. Treat yourself, go to the mall or have spa day. Have at least a day of relaxation. Do deep inhales and exhales it can calm yourself. Talk to a listener in 7 cups to share stories or just want someone to listen to you. Don't just keep your problems. Let someone listen to you but only to the person you trust. Having a pet can also help you relieve stress and depression.
Anonymous
April 30th, 2018 11:58pm
What do you like to do? Draw, listen to music, read ect. Think of those POSITIVE ways that reflect on who you are. Stopping will be hard, I get that. If you need put stuff on ur arm, like pen ink to keep you from doing it. Do you know the butterfly, well if you don’t it’s easy. Draw a butterfly on ur body part that you harm the most or feel like harming. The point is to keep the butterfly alive so u can’t harm it.
MaeMaee
June 25th, 2018 10:28am
Have you tried getting into a sport? Or having a pet? Just something to get your mind off of it? Something your good at?
Anonymous
March 28th, 2022 10:02pm
Find healthy coping mechanisms! Reading, drawing, listening to music, playing games, etc. Coping doesn't mean hurting yourself or others. It may be hard at first. Here are more suggestions: journaling, writing, taking baths, watching movies or YouTube. meditating, studying, gardening, exercising, doing makeup, and more. You can even bring your religion into it, like praying. Crying is a healthy method, too, believe it or not! Try talking more positively about yourself. You deserve it. Try venting to people you trust and love! If it gets super bad, nap, or put rubber bands where you want to self harm. I hope this helps you.