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Q: 

Any tips to quit nail biting?

By Anonymous September 20, 2019 - 1:27pm
 
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I bite my nails (mostly the sides of them) all day. People say it's due to anxiety but I don't really feel anxious...it is just kind of a habit. I have been doing it for years and can't seem to stop. I tell myself to top and it works for about 5 min and then I am back to chewing them.

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It's a huge prioblem, I think. It's like bad habbit. For stop doing that I adtice yo cut nails as often as it possible. I am not a supporter of smearing fingers something, as to my mind the person should overcome this habbit by himself. Just keep it in mind.

December 25, 2019 - 1:33am

Personally I don't bite my nails. I find it unhealthy and disgusting. But when I was a child I used to do it. And I stopped biting my nails at the age of 12 (after the Biology lesson).

October 7, 2019 - 12:54am
Guide

Hello, Anon! Thank you for posting.

Nail-biting is often associated with anxiety because the act of chewing on nails can relieve stress, tension, or boredom. Many people who habitually bite their nails often say that they do so when they feel nervous, bored, lonely, or even hungry.

Try these tips from WebMD:

1. Cut them short. If there’s not enough nail to grab with your teeth, it won’t feel as satisfying when you give biting a try.
2. Coat them with a bad taste. There are special nail polishes with a bitter flavor you can paint on your nails. The terrible taste will make you think twice before chewing.
3. Splurge on manicures. Spending money and time at a nail salon will give you both good-looking nails and a reason to keep them that way.
Wear gloves. It may sound silly, but if you can’t get to your nails, you can’t bite them. If gloves won’t work for your daily schedule, you can look for stickers made to cover nails -- they can have the same effect.
4. Find your triggers. Notice how you feel or what you’re doing when you bite your nails. Once you know what kicks you into nail-biting drive, you can try to find other ways to cope.
5. Keep your hands or mouth busy. Find something to fiddle with -- a stress ball, a worry stone, or even a pen to click. Chew gum so your mouth has a job. Give your nail-biting energy another place to go.

Good luck, Anon!

Helena

September 20, 2019 - 2:30pm
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