How to Stop Biting And Chewing Your Finger Nails

Contributor

By J. Morris
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (6 Ratings)

Stop Chewing Your Nails

So you're tired of gnawing your fingernails like a worried rabbit? Here are a few tips to stop the habit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

DISCOVER THE CAUSE

Before you can attempt any solution to fix the symptoms, you must know the cause; otherwise, any measures you instill will only be temporary. Figure out what "triggers" you to bite your nails. Is it a specific event, a place, a person or situation?
Step 2

DEFEAT YOUR ANXIETY

Nail biting is usually caused by anxiety. Therefore, start incorporating anti-stress and relaxation behaviors into your life. These include: eating healthier, exercising regularly and taking up yoga or meditation. Basically, enjoy your life more by any means necessary!
Step 3

EXPAND YOUR AWARENESS

Like emotional eating, people who bite their nails often do it without even knowing they're doing it. Be aware of when you bite your nails so that you can analyze the situation. Just being more aware will help curb your urge to bite your nails.
Step 4

REPLACE THE BEHAVIOR (USE THE CARROT METHOD)

Instead of biting your nails when you're stressed or anxious or bored, replace the habit with something positive. This could be chewing a piece of gum or sucking on a mint.
Step 5

DISCIPLINE THE BEHAVIOR (USE THE STICK METHOD)

Wear a rubber band on your wrist and every time you get the urge to bite your nails, snap the rubber band. This may "program" your mind to see that biting your nails begets pain which you will learn to avoid.
Step 6

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

The more support you have on your side, the better. If your friends and family know, they'll keep an eye out for when you might be chewing without being aware of it.
Step 7

START TAKING CARE OF YOUR HANDS

If you're a woman, indulge yourself with a manicure. If you're a man, reward yourself with a watch or a ring so that you can show off your hands.
Step 8

HABITS - A GENERAL NOTE

Keep up the good work and you will find that you have created a new habit of not chewing your nails. But creating new habits take time! Stay consistent and the rewards will be yours. Good luck!

Comments

trvlarrngr said

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on 9/22/2009 great article on how to stop biting and chewing your finger nails. I need to show this to my daughter. 5 stars

on 7/19/2009 Great advice! Not only did you provide detail, but you also included various strategies to fight temptation. I'm pretty impressed.

Others still struggling with the habit of biting their nails may also want to try a reward system of some sort or protecting one nail at a time.

For more information on methods to try in order to help prevent nail biting, visit http://www.saladsticks.com/2009/07/stop-biting-those-fingernails.html