Commit to specific goals
Effective goals are specific and easy to measure, like drinking an extra glass of water every day, rather than drinking more water in general. Once you decide to break up with nail biting, a habit that affects some 20 to 30 percent of Americans, according to the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, take a few minutes to make a concrete commitment, complete with definitive goals. Consider committing to an hour of no nail biting and gradually work your way up to two hours, three hours, and whole days and weeks. If it helps, reward yourself with little treats, like a gourmet coffee or an iTunes song download.
Recruit help
If you’re a habitual nail biter, chances are you don’t even remember when this habit formed. “The action of biting nails is often a childhood habit that many people carry into adulthood and over time becomes extremely difficult to quit,” says David Bank, MD, board certified dermatologist and director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery. If your nail-biting habit has become so second nature that you don’t even realize you’re nibbling, you may need a heads-up from family or friends. Dr. Bank advises sharing your goal with the people closest to you, asking them to bring any absent-minded munching to your attention. Nail-biting is just one of many annoying habits with a scientific explanation.
Set reminders or alarms
In the craziness of your day-to-day life, your commitment to giving up nail biting might slip your mind. “Overall, the goal is to become aware of the habit and slowly eliminate it,” says Dr. Bank, who advises people to create little reminders to draw attention back your goal. Don’t miss these other brilliant tips for breaking a bad habit.
Cut your nails short
As soon as you make the commitment to break your nail-biting habit, grab a nail clipper or nail file and start keeping your nails neatly trimmed. “Cutting nails is important because it helps avoid the action of biting nails and prevents infection,” Dr. Bank says. You may already have nail damage, red nail beds, and possible sores around the nail bed from years of gnawing, but if you stop now, you instantly slash your risk of a potentially dangerous infection. Check out what your fingernails say about your health.
Commit to specific goals
Effective goals are specific and easy to measure, like drinking an extra glass of water every day, rather than drinking more water in general. Once you decide to break up with nail biting, a habit that affects some 20 to 30 percent of Americans, according to the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, take a few minutes to make a concrete commitment, complete with definitive goals. Consider committing to an hour of no nail biting and gradually work your way up to two hours, three hours, and whole days and weeks. If it helps, reward yourself with little treats, like a gourmet coffee or an iTunes song download.
Recruit help
If you’re a habitual nail biter, chances are you don’t even remember when this habit formed. “The action of biting nails is often a childhood habit that many people carry into adulthood and over time becomes extremely difficult to quit,” says David Bank, MD, board certified dermatologist and director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery. If your nail-biting habit has become so second nature that you don’t even realize you’re nibbling, you may need a heads-up from family or friends. Dr. Bank advises sharing your goal with the people closest to you, asking them to bring any absent-minded munching to your attention. Nail-biting is just one of many annoying habits with a scientific explanation.
Set reminders or alarms
In the craziness of your day-to-day life, your commitment to giving up nail biting might slip your mind. “Overall, the goal is to become aware of the habit and slowly eliminate it,” says Dr. Bank, who advises people to create little reminders to draw attention back your goal. Don’t miss these other brilliant tips for breaking a bad habit.
Cut your nails short
As soon as you make the commitment to break your nail-biting habit, grab a nail clipper or nail file and start keeping your nails neatly trimmed. “Cutting nails is important because it helps avoid the action of biting nails and prevents infection,” Dr. Bank says. You may already have nail damage, red nail beds, and possible sores around the nail bed from years of gnawing, but if you stop now, you instantly slash your risk of a potentially dangerous infection. Check out what your fingernails say about your health.
