by Amy Leland

Created on: October 01, 2010

Whether it’s a lingering habit from childhood or a response to recent pressures, nail biting can be hard to stop.  Many people don’t realize they’ve been gnawing on their fingers until it’s too late.  If you’re looking to kick the nail-chomping habit, give one of these tips a try:

Keep ‘em short: If you bite your nails, chances are good they’re very weak.  Letting them grow will cause breakage and more temptation to bite.  Instead, keep your nails clipped short and evenly filed.  This will help strengthen them as well as give you less of a tooth-hold.

Moisturize: For those who find their cuticles as irresistible as their nails, adding a nail moisturizing regimen to your daily routine can make a big difference.  Moisturized fingers mean smoother cuticles and fewer hangnails, which will reduce the temptation to bite.

Switch up the taste: People generally don’t bite their nails because they like the taste, but when there’s a nasty flavor on their fingers they’re more likely to keep their hands in their laps.  Try to find a taste that’s a strong deterrent for you.  There are polishes designed to make your taste buds revolt when they come in contact with your fingers, but be careful!  The nasty taste tends to linger on your lips, which might make your significant other a little wary of your bitter kisses.

Try some gloves:  If you tend to chew without thinking, keeping a pair of gloves on can help.  There’s nothing like a stray bit of cotton thread on your tongue to make you think twice about putting your hands near your mouth. 

Keep busy:  Boredom can be a big trigger for nail biting.  If this is your problem, find something to do to keep your fingers moving.  Take up knitting or embroidery instead of just sitting and watching TV.  Make sure to keep both hands on your book when you read.  Put your fingers to work instead of letting them wander where they please.

Make them fabulous:  Your nails never look better than when they’re freshly painted.  If you’ve got the money, treat yourself to a manicure every now and again.  If you really want to go for broke get acrylics – this will stop your biting in a jiffy!  On the other hand, doing your nails yourself can be just as powerful a deterrent.  When you start putting time and energy into the look of your nails, you’ll find yourself more inclined to maintain their integrity. 

Although nail biting is a hard habit to break, in the end it will be worth it.  You’ll have strong, beautiful nails that will stay where they belong - out of your mouth! 

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