Nail Biting: Time to Kick the Habit

Biting your nails is a horrible habit, as well as an amazingly hard habit to kick. Or hands pick up germs everywhere yet many of us cannot avoid biting our nails and bringing those everyday germs into our mouths and into our bodies. Not to mention what biting your nails makes them look like; jagged, ragged and unkempt. It's not flattering, yet again, we still do it. There are some things you can do if you want to try to stop biting your nails.

Start making mental notes when you bite your nails. Are you biting because you are nervous, stressed or scared? Are you biting just to get rid of a chipped piece or hang nail? For a week or two, write down every time you bit your nails and what you think the reason for biting was.

If it's nerves getting the better of you and causing you to bite your nails, remove yourself from the situation, or remove the stressor from your life and get a new habit. Do you bite your nails when studying for a big exam? Are you stressed out about your job? Did you and your partner have a fight? Find other ways to direct your energy. Squeeze a stress ball, eat sunflower seeds, tap a pen, anything to keep those finger nails out of your mouth.

Whip your nails back into shape. Keep your fingernails clean. Wash them every day with soap and water. If you notice dirt or grease build up under your nails, use a nail brush to rid them of any dirt, bacteria and fungus.

An excellent manicure can do wonders. You can do this yourself, or have it professionally done. File your nails. A regular filing will prevent those jagged edges that you are tempted to chew on and neatly filed nails will keep you from wanting to chew on them in the first place.

Paint your nails. Yes men, this goes for you. A clear coat of nail polish will ward you from sticking your fingers in your mouth because it will not taste good. There is also a product called "No Bite" which has a very bitter taste and is simply a clear coat to make your nails look shiny.

The final alternative is to cover your nails. False nails or tips will allow time for your real nails to grow out underneath and once removed, you probably will not want to chew on your beautiful, long nails again. Only do this as a last resort since acrylic nails can weaken your real nail underneath.

Biting your nails is a hard habit to break, but it can be done. Be patient and occupy your mind with a different habit until you are completely broken of the nail biting one. Good luck to all my fellow nail biters. I kicked the habit, can you?