Hi, popping pimples is not self-harm, but it does sound like you have a bad habit and you'd like to change it.

Habits are sometimes hard things to change because they tend to actually help us out in some way or other. You know that you want to pop pimples when you feel anxious or angry, and maybe you do it other times too. It might be that popping pimples helps you get rid of stress. A funny thing is though that anxiety or anger that is held in the body can often produce symptoms like tense muscles, skin rashes and pimples. So you might be in a bit of a vicious cycle: stress = pimples = popping the pimples = more anxiety about the pimples and whatever else!

If this is the case, then a simple solution is to find what else you can do to help you relax. Generally speaking there are two main factors to relaxation:

1. Getting the stress out of your body, and
2. Getting the stress out of your mind.

To look after 1. Eat healthy (three full meals each day), and do regular exercise (at least 30 mins daily).

To look after 2. Try meditation, yoga, writing in a journal what you're experiencing, talking to friends, and if this is not helping enough, please see a counsellor, doctor or another professional. It's not worth suffering!

There are many more tips I could give you, but the key initially is to find a ROUTINE. Have a look at your timetable and plan a regular balance of work, relaxation and play for each day. Even just setting up one daily positive habit, like making your own breakfast or going for a 10 minute walk is extremely valuable. Try it out!