You Can Stop Nail Biting!

Let’s start with nail biting is very unsanitary, and it’s gross. You need to learn how to stop nail biting. Your fingernails carry twice as much bacteria and germs as your fingertips.  Most keyboards and remote controls have more germs and crud on them than your toilet seat. Visualize you used your keyboard and then idly started to chew a nail, you have just put all kinds of icky crap in your mouth. STOP IT!

Onychophagia is the clinical term for nail biting. Besides being a real turn off the opposite sex, it can be a cause for bosses and potential employers to think you have low self-esteem. If that isn’t enough, you have to know your germy fingernails transfers millions of bacteria, fungus, and other microorganisms right into your mouth. EWWW!

Besides being unsanitary, nail biting contributes to wear and tear on your teeth,  causes skin and cuticle infections, and ups the odds you will get sick from greater exposure to germs. You already know that sheer willpower is not enough to get you to stop nail biting now. You need more help than that. Check out these products and techniques to help you stop nail biting.

USE NAIL BITING DETERRENT PRODUCTS

Control-It! 3 is an odorless, colorless all-natural cream that you apply to your nails. Its bitter taste reminds you to quit putting your fingers in your mouth.

PROPER GROOMING IS IMPERATIVE

You need to have a nail file and cuticle clipper/trimmer near you all the time.  Plus, you need to set aside a grooming time to manicure and polish your nails. Even you guys can use a nail strengthener to cut help keep up nail health.

LEARN WAYS THAT WILL DISTRACT YOU FROM YOUR NAIL BITING DESIRE

My book, How to Stop Nail Biting, offers excellent techniques to help you recognize your nail biting patterns and triggers. It also give you exercises you can use to take your mind off the strong impulse to bite your nails.

GET A GRIP ON YOUR ANXIETIES

Besides boredom, stress is the most obvious factor in encouraging nail biting activity. When you feel anxiety, frustration, or fear, you can be sure your triggers to start a nail-biting session are in full array. My book witll give you some relaxation suggestions. Yoga and hypnotism can help you too.

USE PAINFUL REINFORCEMENT

Some people have had success by using a rubber band on their wrist. They snap it smartly when they catch themselves in a nail biting session. It must be painful enough to send your brain a message. You have to follow-up with some positive affirmation about how to stop nail biting. The combination can be powerful, especially if you are otherwise motivated to quit.

DON’T GIVE UP. DON’T GET DISCOURAGED!

The odds are great you will relapse, probably more than once, before you gain enough experience and moxie to quit nail biting for good. So don’t be too hard on yourself when it happens. Mostly, don’t get discouraged and quit. Don’t be victimized by this bad habit. You can learn how to stop biting your nails if you are determined and keep after it.