Alternative self-harm refers to engaging in behaviors that are less harmful than self-injury but still serve as a coping mechanism for dealing with emotional distress.

- Screaming into a pillow.
- ⁠Holding an ice cube in your hands and squeezing it.
- ⁠Going outside and running as fast as you can.
- ⁠Having a cold shower.
- ⁠Aggressively drawing on paper.
- ⁠Aggressively tearing up paper.
- ⁠Listening to music and dancing intensely.
- ⁠Drawing on yourself using a red-ink pen.