Strategies for dealing with urges...

Habit replacement is a key one for me. It's hard to break a habit (including PMO), but it's easy to form a new one. Habits form because if we do an activity enough, the brain seeks to improve efficiency by automating the process as much as possible (i.e. by making it a subconscious behaviour).

So, the idea is to train yourself to behave in certain ways when you receive urges at certain times. Some of mine include

• Rubbing my arm (and therefore not my penis) in bed when I feel a surge - this is pretty automatic for me but not perfect.
• Drying off and getting dressed immediately after getting out of the shower - before I used to dry off naturally while doing something else, but being naked was a serious trigger.
• Wearing gloves while working from home - when I get stressed with something I'm working on and I subconsciously start to fidget with things... including 'down there'. Actually I stopped this glove thing for a while but have been thinking to get back into it.

 

• The FREEdom Process from Suitt's More Than a Sunday Faith
• ANTHEM Strategies for Fighting Lust video series (Desiring God)

 

• I remind myself that the urge will pass...
• I remind myself that giving in to my urges, will only leave me feeling worse.
• I remind myself that Jesus said, "FOLLOW ME." And not, "I'll follow you."
• I remind myself that The Holy Spirit, who indwells all believers, is the One doing the work. My job is to just yield to Him, and rest in Him.
• I remind myself that a lifestyle of PMO is like a 2nd job. It takes work, energy, & time. I'd rather just retire and live the easier life (For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.)
• I get on my knees and talk with God.
• I quickly shut down any thoughts of PMO. The enemy is much easier to resist at a distance, rather than leaving the door half open.

 

Great advice. I will try these suggestions

 

My primary strategies so far have been:

- Coming to NoFap.com forum to be around other's struggling with the same issues and addictions
- Praying
- Refocusing on non-sexual things like tasks I need to do for the day