What non-stereotypical stims are there?

So, I think one of my stims is pretty unique. And I can't believe I'm feeling self conscious posting about it on a forum with other people who stim...

As a kid I put my fingers or knuckles against one nostril, took a breath in through that nostril, and found a way to create a vibration at different frequencies that mesmerised me. The positioning of the fingers has to be just right and sometimes the other nostril needs to be covered. As a child I did this alongside sucking the two inner fingers of one hand (middle and ring fingers) and used the other over the top to create the vibration. I wonder if this stimulates my vagus nerve like the vibrations of speaking does and helps with the relaxation - not sure, or if this theory is still up-to-date.

My parents took me to the doctor about this as a child - the doctor had no clue what to say! (Wasn't on the radar for autism back then.) My parents were embarrassed by it though, so I was discouraged. Although I do remember once that my family asked me about how I do it and tried to do it themselves! I liked that! My brother always sucked his thumb and bit his nails, so I think they were easier going on me, thinking this was just my version of that. I feel lucky not to have had harsh childhood punishment associated with stimming. 

I've noticed I do this when I'm stressed and the sustained inhaling doesn't actually help relax me, even if the vibration does. (In breathing exercises, often the exhales are meant to be the same as or longer than the inhales because this stimulates relaxation, the opposite can do the opposite and simulate stress/exercise states).

I have figured out how to do this subtly and without making an audible sound, but usually I'm very self conscious about it.

My favourite stim when sitting is to trigger "Golgi tendon reflex" - I crook my leg(s) ~90° and lift my heal so the ball of my foot takes the weight... get the position right and the leg starts bouncing automagically on it's own.

Unfortunately I often find other people get distressed seeing this, so I had to develop some secret stims...

Stroking my goatee is quite soothing, but I'm not always keen to "draw attention to my manhood"! ...

The beard is a sign of wisdom, and by stroking it you draw even more attention to that mark of manhood and maturity.

I don't usually need to stim if I have a beer in front of me.

If I'm not talking, I tap my tounge against the back of my teeth, or curl my tounge and stroke the top of my mouth. Particularly useful in public saunas etc.

If I can hide one hand (under table, in pocket etc.) I just tap finger & thumb together or one finger against my leg.

If none of the above are possible, I sometimes do "anal sphincter muscle strengthening exercises", but it does sometimes give me a male reaction as it makes my rosé-wurst move a bit.

Just recently I enjoyed stimming with my nephews fidget toy - similar to this:

There are loads of different fidget/anti-stress toy designs. I think I will get one for train rides, airports etc.

Thanks for that. I grind my teeth in my sleep. But that doesn't count as a stim, I don't think. 

Thanks for that.  I'll give it a read. :)

Wow. Ok. I do the same thing. But it's not because I like it. It's because my feet feel ... I dunno ... Kind of charged up. And it soothes them a bit. 

Oh my god. The sound of an old camera shutter and the feeling of winding it on. That was a great era. 

i tend to grind my teeth back side to side in my head to a tune in my head which is a invisible one but my dentist thinks im grinding my teeth in my sleep or something lol and the worst one is probably a almost tourettes like involuntary noises which was really bad in high school and lead to alot of bullying which made me more anxious and made it much worse and lead to even more bullying which was a bad cycle, could be odd noises or also saying stuff, the more anxious type is random noise, the more bored type is saying random *** probably that one more to fill the deathly silence perhaps. also tap my sternum sometimes which not sure if thats stereotype. 

I stroke my feet against themselves when I am in bed. I knew I did it but didn’t realise it was a stim. I am doing it right now and realised how much I love it. It’s really relaxing.

I have a soviet era geiger counter on my wall , it smells of some technical emotion

I have conkers in my jacket pocket to roll around in my hand when I am anxious. I also love the feel of good quality velvet, but reserve feeling that to Christmas. I have a lizard skin covered camera, but love the feel and sound of old Soviet cameras when I press the shutter then wind them on. 
These are not things I do in public though. 

Hi Dave

There's a thread from a couple of weeks ago about modifying your own stims if the ones you have are inconvenient

https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/22444/can-we-change-our-stims