Trying to stop biting nails is way easier said than done. Here are seven tips that will provide insight and some relief to this frustrating habit. 1. It’s all in your mind. That is to say, it is psychological or subconscious. You have to change how...
Trying to stop biting nails is way easier said than done. Here are seven tips that will provide insight and some relief to this frustrating habit.
1. It’s all in your mind. That is to say, it is psychological or subconscious. You have to change how you think about biting your nails. Why do you bite them? If you can’t figure that out, at least you have to be able to recognize when you bite them and alter your behavior. Quitting nail biting has been compared to quitting smoking. It’s hard!
2. Quit beating yourself up for failing to stop biting nails. Millions of people around the world have this habit and many have tried quitting without success. You have to find the right system to help you quit. And that solution has to involve a psychological solution.
3. Lotions and potions don’t work. At best, these might help you to quit temporarily by have a nasty bitter taste on your nails when you put them in your mouth. But this only works until the lotion wears off or you get used to the taste. And, if you pick at your nails, lotions won’t stop that at all since taste is not involved. And what happens when you forget to apply the lotions? They don’t work!
4. Don’t break one habit by starting another. Some people will tell you to eat when you feel like chewing your nails. First off, since it’s a subconscious habit, you don’t always know when you feel like chewing your nails or even remember chewing them until they’re gone. Secondly, nobody wants to add 5, 10 or 20 pounds because they were trying to stop biting nails. Others will suggest chewing gum or a toothpick or wearing gloves to stop biting nails. You are not always in a situation where these “alternatives” are appropriate. Another suggestion people offer is to ask someone to lightly touch your arm or give some other non-invasive reminder when they see you nibbling. What happens when you are by yourself? All of these “alternatives” are still only a temporary fix and do not address the subconscious reasons on why you chew.
5. You could stop biting nails if you had more will power. Not True. You have to recondition the automated responses that cause you to bite your nails.
6. Nail biting is caused by stress or boredom, so eliminate those things from your life. Let’s get real! We are human so we are going to get stressed and bored. It is a good idea to reduce both those things in your life for a better lifestyle, but it’s impossible to eliminate them.
7. When you do finally stop biting nails, you will have renewed confidence. You will no longer be ashamed of your hands. And you will no longer have to answer the question, “Why do you bit your nails?” Maintenance of your new nails is a must. Keep your nails clean, trimmed and polished. Including foods in your diet that are high in calcium and magnesium will keep your nails strong and healthy and allow them to grow quickly.
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