Lowering arousal from Porn: https://www.nofap.com/forum/index.php?threads/why-do-you-watch-porn-and-how-to-bypass-it.115784/ ___________________________________________________________________ So let's discuss about activities for PMO replacement Why do you do PMO? I'm studying people over here, and most seem to have pretty high levels of mental activation (OCDish behaviours too). I'm myself on the autism spectrum. PMO also serves as a relaxation and mental attenuation activity. Yes, it is. So you need replacements to it It's not easy to find replacement activities for PMO, you can say: - Oh, you should get out of your house and give a walk around the block and chitchat with some people. That still isn't a relaxation activity, if I'm outdoors too long it's very probably I end up zoning out on my own mind if I'm not actually interacting much, and I don't like to spend way too much time on my own mind. The problem is, what I want from "socialization" is not what most people provide... The best replacement it still some kind of touch sensory activity, according to my study, this is my subjective best from top to bottom: 1. Intimate physical and emotional interaction (IYKWIM) 2. Get a massage 3. Go swimming 4. Laugh at some nerdy shit full of sarcasm and pictorial associations In fact I don't need "verbal interaction", I need physical interaction This is intended to make you gradually "forget" PMO/Porn, and increase your chances of not relapsing, so you can quit a certain cycle of cravings, anxieties and relapsings This thread is purposefully open to action driven suggestions
Learn to play an instrument. Learn some new skill (if you're into computers - programming or web development; 3D modeling, digital painting) Read books. Try to prove that there is a Creator and that Big Bang is false. Research how music/movie industry is brain washing people. Help people.
A good reading before sleep it's always a good habit... Activities that don't induce a certain kind of information overload, are better for this "relaxation" subject... Some are matter of personal interest, it's always great to have a creative pursuit beyond all the passive consumption, I have too many perhaps. There's a balance in everything I guess.
I'm still pondering what TheProlguist wrote, intrigued about "OCDish behaviours" and PMO. I have OCD, and PMO provides a measure of anxiety relief, but it is short lived and ultimately not fulfilling. For me, working outside provides the best "action" alternative (I live on a small farm and so always plenty to do and appreciate). Nighttime is the most challenging -- I read, watch movies, listen to music -- but still, sometimes, relapse. Thanks for starting this thread.
Thanks for starting this thread! I myself suffer from a mood disorder and tend to act out in the depressive phase when I don't have that much energy. So "go for a run" isn't the greatest alternative at those times. Here's my own personal list: Pray immediately and intensely! Call my accountability partner Start singing a song or at least humming Go out to eat somewhere Take dancing lessons Take a walk Clean something Call a friend Call a fellow Christian and tell them that I'm fighting the fight alongside them Get in the car and start driving Smile and think "Life is good! God is good!" List all the things I'm thankful for Go running Pour out my feelings on the nofap forum Go buy something cool (retail therapy) Visit family, especially my little nieces and nephews Go to the golfing range - that's pretty relaxing Masturbate (I'm not going to consider masturbation a loss at this point, just porn) Also, you might consider this... some of my best moments are after connecting with someone on a deep level. Like recently I've been having some really great deep conversations with my little sister (17 yo). After driving her around, encouraging her to do healthy things, and talking through her situations I've become so close to her and really love her more than anyone. I feel incredibly fulfilled after talking with her sometimes, so.... Dive deep in conversation with someone, and get to know them and their world. Like really deep Do something for someone else, especially if you have to give up something or be uncomfortable. The more you give up the more it generates love Help someone else achieve their goals and dreams Especially if that someone doesn't really have a lot of friends. Buy something for someone spontaneously