[dogzrule]

It has been about a year and 10 months since I last cut...but I am getting more and more temptation to recently. To make a very long story short, I left an abusive relationship and was able to find a new job in a new town. That job did not work out and I have since returned to my old job in my old town, where my old abusive ex still lives. I have also been having nightmares and issues with grinding my teeth at night. I often times have problems sleeping.

I don't want to start cutting again, but sometimes it just feels like the only way to relieve some stress that I have elsewhere. I don't want to though, and any time it has entered my mind in any kind of serious thought, I make myself do something else. I just wanted to know what others do to help them avoid the temptation?

[CANDC]

Dear dogzrule, sorry to hear you are in pain. As far as teeth grinding they have teeth cards for athletes at drug stores or Walmart (inexpensive). You can also have one made custom by orthodontist (expensive)

Congrats on holding out. You only hurt yourself when you cut. It is like punishing your child. It doesn't make anyone feel better. Please don't injure yourself anymore.

There are many ways of relieving stress including medicine by a pdoc. You can also try therapy. Getting 8 hours of sleep every night or as often as possible can really reduce stress.

If you want to try some first aid things, try massaging your feet and hands. It is like receiving acceptance and nurturing that many of us lacked as children.

Yoga helps relieve muscle tension (youtube adrienne complete beginners yoga)

Walking and exercising and doing chores can all help.

Thank you for sharing your process. That too is a way to stay self supportive.