First thing I will say is "Don't do it!" There is a possiblity that self injury can be addictive because of the chemical release in the brain so don't even start. For many the purpose of self injury is to block out emotional pain but just like alcohol and drugs, it gives temporary relief but doesn't EVER fix the problem.

My suggestion is that you find ways to get out of isolation. I don't believe that people are meant to be alone. We are social beings and when we become isolated we tend to get depressed. Are there social groups you can attend? Church groups, library or book groups, park activities? Can you volunteer time to charitable organizations? All these things will give you a chance to be social and develop acquantances that may become friendships. Can you get a part time job? Join a walking group, or birding group. Just throwing out ideas that will get you out of the house for awhile.

As far as things to do to not hurt yourself, Silver Queen gave some excellent ideas. I thinking though that since you have never hurt yourself maybe you should avoid anything that simulates pain. Rubberband snapping and icecubes often help habitual self injurers step down from the habit, kind of a substitute but I would be worried that it would just lead you into the habit. I would reccommend doing things that are self nurturing like taking the bath then giving yourself a full body rub with lotion or oil. Taking some time to brush your hair and think loving thoughts of yourself. Fixing yourself a healthy dessert like strawberries and a little cool whip and eating it slowly concentrating on the taste. Make sure not to use too much cool whip, wouldn't want you to become food dependant.

I am sure other people will come up with even more ideas. There are so many ways to comfort yourself without hurting yourself. Try not to get into the self injury cycle, it is hard to break.
Carrie

<font color=green>But the implicit and usually unconscious bargain we make with ourselves is that, yes, we want to be healed, we want to be made whole, we're willing to go some distance, but we're not willing to question the fundamental assumptions upon which our way of life has been built, both personally and societally.--Bill Plotkin, Soulcraft