Releasing tension and pressure without self harming.

[Harbour]

Hi,

At the moment I'm bingeing which has replaced my OD/SI behaviours for 99.9% of the time although I still have high levels of urges. If I don't binge then I tend to feel like there's a pressure or tension building up until it feels unbearable. I really want to find something that releases tension that isn't self harm. I am running and doing the couch to 5k but it doesn't seem to help with the build up of tension.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!

R x

[Cacoethes]

Make up some blocks of ice and go outside and smash them all on the ground! It's very calming and cathartic! :)

[Harbour]

Thank you that's a good idea! :)

[Bear]

I tend to meditate :-) I know a lot of people like something more physical but it works for me.
Hope you find something that suits you soon x

[Doikers]

Do you like Loud Music? That can Help Me , on Speakers or Headphones depending on the time of day :)

[Epicene]

If I need to release physical tension I find singing loudly helps. Drawing or writing can also be helpful, especially if you allow yourself to be quite frantic and messy with it. Well done for trying to find alternatives and taking up running, that's really admirable.

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

I quite like squeezing things like a stress ball or play dough! Other things you could do could be screaming into a pillow, going for a brisk walk, colouring in, throwing a ball as hard as you can (outside obviously!)....

[Harbour]

Thank you for your replies everyone, I'm going to try all the suggestions and see what happens!

I mainly want to eventually replace bingeing and other self harm with a form of exercise in conjunction with other things. Bingeing is a big issue for me as I went from lower on the healthy BMI range to morbidly obese and this is something I want to change for health reasons!

Thank you :)

[Emwillsurvive]

I know this is a bit of a weird suggestion but I found that smashing up my friend's shed with her when she was getting rid of it really helped. So anything like that... even if you have to just get a pile of wood and chop it up aha. :)

[Serialangel]

I have the exact same problem and haven't resolved it and working on resolving it. If you have access to a place where you can scream really loudly, that could help. Singing is also really helpful. I find that when I'm singing a song that really helps me (I have an EMERGENCY playlist that have therapeutic songs that are personal to me) then that horrid feeling inside me unknots a bit.

[MissAnonymous]

*Ripping up newspaper (you'll need to do it horizontally otherwise it will piss you off further)
*Colouring in a page in block colour till there is no white left
*Getting a relaxation track that walks you through tensing and releasing each part of your body in turn, laying somewhere and having some time out with candles and burning oils
*Make a collection of jokes, funny videos, cute pictures, memes or photos so when you feel frustrated you can try to laugh. I used to play this stupid game called spank the monkey and it worked for me (that sounds so bad, yes, yes I know).

[Harbour]

I feel so bad. I don't think I can do this.

[Epicene]

It takes time, especially in the beginning - can you pick one of the techniques listed above to try? It won't feel easy, but try and notice how you feel and what it is about the feeling that seems so intolerable? Take care

[Harbour]

Thank you.voices are so intense I feel like I can't even try

[Arienette]

Sex/ with self or others.

[Eir]

Singing along to appropriate music (appropriate as in angry if angry, mood lifters is down), squeezing ice cubes. Exercise. Journaling. Bargaining with the voices. Snapping elastic wristband to re-enter reality.