ROADS TO RECOVERY: TIPS AND TRICKS
Idle Hands and the Work of the Devil
Busy hands are happy hands. These are tips that will help you find other things to do with your nervous energy. USE THEM.
Idle Hands – Get Some Balls
Get yourself a pair of chime balls that they sell in Chinatowns all over the world. They are usually cloisonné on the outside and you teach yourself to roll the two balls around in your palm. They are great stress relievers. You could also get one or two of those squeeze balls or koosh balls to relieve tension and keep your hand occupied.
Idle Hands – Make it Hard as Nails to Pick
Cut your fingernails so short that you can’t scratch at your skin. On the flip side, get fake long nails that make it impossible to pick. Or try putting bandaids on the main fingers you use to scratch with.
Idle Hands – Pick Like a Pro
Stop being cavalier and at the very least act like a doctor. Make you’re your picking tools are sterilized thoroughly before you pick each and every blemish. You pick – you sterilize – you pick – sterilize – and so on. And. rub the spot with alcohol before each and every pick and treat the pick with antibacterial ointment after each and every pick. It will give your hand an extra task to accomplish and also slow you down.
Idle Hands – Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch Me
Surround yourself with interesting and touchable surfaces. Get a textured steering wheel cover. Get a bracelet with lots of faceted beads. Get a pillow that has a rough and nubby surface. Get a straw purse or satchel that has a textured strap that keeps your hand interested in its surface.
Idle Hands – Rubber Band
Put a rubber band on your wrist and snap it every time you get the urge. The bigger the urge – snap it that much harder. Make it really hurt if you have to.
Idle Hands – A New Hobby
Take up knitting, crocheting or embroidery or any hobby that keeps your hands and mind occupied.
Idle Hands – Cotton Gloves
Try buying a pair of white cotton gloves. Actually if this works for you, buy a few pairs so you can always have a clean pair handy. If you tend to rest your head in your hands, this will limit the exposure of your fingers to your skin and you might be less inclined to pick.
Wearing cotton gloves also serves to help make you aware of how often you simply touch your face and how often you actually go to pick and make there be one more step you have to overcome to get to picking. You’ll have to take off your gloves and since every moment of deferred picking helps, I think it’s worth the small investment.
Idle Hands and the Work of the Devil – Loose Your Tools
If you are onto needles, pins, nail clippers, tweezers, tacks, safety pins, etc. remove them altogether from your house if you can. If you can’t remove them, put them as far away from your picking place as possible. Lock them in a lock box if need be. Put the key on the opposite end of the house. Make it hard to start your regime.
Idle Hands – Worry Stone
Buy a special smooth stone that you keep everywhere with you. When you get the urge to pick – reach into your pocket or purse and touch the stone and let your fingers have something else to fiddle with. You might want to get a non-smooth crystal that has sharp edges to it. Because the stimulus of the pressing against the sharp stone might give you’re the relief you need.
Idle Hands – Doodle
Start scribbling when you find your hands going towards your face.
Idle Hands – Silly Putty
A real life saver for many pickers is a simple child’s toy. Since it can be really helpful to be busy and keep your hand and fingers occupied, buy silly putty. When you feel the urge to pick – dig your nails into the silly putty. Keep the little eggs that they come in handy and all over the place: one in your bathroom, in your car, next to your bed, next to your desk, etc., wherever you might get the urge to pick. It’s such a small investment for such a great reward – a moment peace from picking.
Idle Hands – Tiny Bubbles
Finally, when all else fails and you can’t stop picking… buy yourself a roll or two of bubble wrap. Try both large and small sizes and find which one is most satisfying to you to pop. It works!
