Nail biting is common at all ages.
One of the most common and difficult-to-quit habits in the world is nail biting. People may bite their nails for a number of reasons, including boredom, nerves or as a comfort. Often times, nail biters don't even realize what they are doing. Apart from the fact that chewed nails look unattractive and messy, giving the wrong impression to potential partners, clients and employers, chewed and torn nails and skin can lead to infections.
Instructions
1. A list of reasons to quit will keep you motivated.
Make the decision that you are going to stop and tell yourself that you are going to succeed; will power and positive thinking are crucial. Compile a list of all the reasons you have to quit nail biting, being as specific as you can. These may include, "Bitten nails look disgusting and my partner will not want to hold my hand" and "Other people will think I don't care about my appearance." Include positive outcomes of stopping the nail biting, such as "My hands will look pretty" and "I will be able to treat myself to new nail polish."
2. Display your calendar in a prominent place.
Decide what day you are going to quit nail biting and mark it on your calendar. Give yourself a few days to lead up to this day; spend this time reminding yourself on a regular basis that the day is coming and that this is the day you are going to quit nail biting for good.
3. A phone call to friends will let them know your plans.
Enlist the help of your family and friends by telling them what you plan to do and asking for their support. You are more likely to be successful if you have the encouragement of others.
4. Choose a pretty color for your nails.
Treat yourself to a professional manicure the day before you quit nail biting.
5. Remind yourself constantly in the first few days after you quit that you are no longer a nail biter; these first few days are bound to be the hardest as you try to stop yourself succumbing to your habit. Work out a mantra that works for you and either say it in your head or out loud to keep yourself on track.
6. Choose a brightly colored emery board to stand out in your purse.
Keep a soft emery board and tube of hand moisturizer with you at all times, whether in your purse or in your desk at work, and have a spare set to keep in your car or at home. Apply the moisturizer throughout the day to keep skin soft and help prevent tears to your cuticles and nails, which could tempt you to start biting. Use the emery board to smooth away any ragged edges on your nails before you start nibbling them.
7. Change your routine to avoid events that may trigger nail biting. If you habitually bite your nails when sitting watching television in the evenings, fill that time with something completely different, such as going swimming or baking a cake. This will also serve as a distraction; you may find that you are enjoying the new activity so much that you don't even think about biting your nails.
8. Set short term goals and reward yourself when you reach them, such as buying yourself a magazine if you manage three days without nail biting. If you don't reach the goal, you don't get the magazine. Don't dwell on your failure; start afresh the next day with a brand new goal. Instead of being hard on yourself, tell yourself that you can and will succeed. Treating yourself to a new nail polish for every week you don't bite your nails will soon see you building up a collection of different colors with which to paint your lovely long nails.
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