What is the best way to break my habit of biting my fingernails?

Question

I have done it for so long. And whenever I manage to stop, it never lasts for too long. I want to stop for good! Help!

Answer 1

Self control is a major part of trying to stop biting your fingernails. Here are some suggestions to help you break the habit.

Steps
Wrap an Ace bandage around your elbow, making it difficult, but not impossible, to move your hand to your mouth.
Buy non-toxic gels/liquid which you can put on your finger nails so that when you go to bite your nails, you'll get a bad taste. After a few times, you'll get the hint not to do it anymore.
Give yourself a reward for quitting. Say you'll buy yourself something nice, get yourself a pet, whatever. It may sound childish, but when a reward is involved, anyone will hop to it.
Tap yourself with a bamboo stick whenever you feel you're going in for the bite. Don't hurt yourself, just make it known to yourself that it's not a good idea. Alternatively, wear an elastic band loosely around your wrist. When you get the urge to nibble, give yourself a snap!
Keep your hands busy. Take up a hobby which will keep your hands preoccupied, such as knitting.
Wear gloves - if all else fails.
Another alternative paint your nails... with nail polish (duh!) and something in your mind makes you NOT want to bite your nails. Try it and you'll have gorgeous nails in no time!
Men (and women, but especially men) who bite their nails can benefit from using "hard-as-steel-strengthening" or "miracle-grow" brush-on nail treatments. These thicken and strengthen the nail so much that it's hard to bite the nail off. They're clear, too, so no one will question your masculinity.
If you find yourself slipping and biting a nail, accept the fact that you're human and that you're in the process of stopping. Praise yourself for the length of time you went without biting your nails and see if you can break the record next time.
Put soap on your nails and it will taste horrible if your try to bite them.



Tips
It may take a while depending on what method you try, but as long as you stick with it, every day, then you should be fine.
It is easier to replace an old behavior with a new behavior than to simply stop the old behavior. For example, when you want to bite your fingernails, chew a stick of gum instead.
Set yourself a time-bound goal, such as "I will try not to bite my nails for the next three days." It's often much easier to tackle things in smaller chunks like this, rather than viewing it as an infinite, looming amount of time.
If you're on a limited budget, you can coat your nails with the juice of a habañero pepper. (However, don't do this if there are any hangnails or cuts around the nails, however small, and don't rub your eyes anytime afterwards.)
You are either controlled by the mind or you control the mind. Start and prepare your mind.
If you are trying to stop biting your nails, and you're a girl, put on several coats of hard, bright-colored nail polish. It will make your nails harder, making biting difficult, and the bright color will serve as a constant reminder. Also, most people think nail polish tastes bad, which will make you think twice before you bite.
If you're a guy and you bite your nails, just put on a few layers of clear nail polish. It won't be very noticeable (unless someone notices that your nails are unusually shiny and smooth), but it will do the trick.
It is helpful to ask someone who you are with all day to point out when you start biting your nails.
Biting your nails is a nervous habit so something stressful in your life probably triggered it.

Answer 2

Hi Flutterb, That is a nasty habit to break. Try spreading Cayenne pepper on your fingers put a little under your fingernails. If this doesn't work nothing will. LOL.. A Friend.

Clowmy

Answer 3

Instead of reading that long winded answer above mine...here is what I did, I used to bite my nails for like 20 years, since I was a little girl. I would look @ my nails & say, man they are ugly, I do not want these ugly short nails, I want nice long nails & don't bite mine anymore all because I want nice nails.

Answer 4

I do the same thing with my fingernails. but 5 week's ago i went out and got some hand & nail cream and that work's when i went to bite my fingernails it was yuk & the hand & nail repairs your nail's as well. make sure you put the cream every day.

Answer 5

Put finger nail paint on it all the time so whenever u bit ur nail and u'll hate the tase.

Eventually your body will think like: Bite=Nasty- Taste=Uncomfortableness

Hope that helped!!

Answer 6

searching on the severity of this habit, there are a range of remedies such as drugs (anti-depressants), supplements and psychotherapy. Nail-biting is frequently observed by technique of alternative manic behaviors. search for suggestion from yor kin healthcare specialist to work out which protocol is best for you.

Answer 7

I am a former nail biter too.....

soak your finger tips in hotsauce or even finger nail polish remover........before or after work or times that you get really bored or tired. (THE TASTE WILL MAKE YOU GAG)


my husband made me go to a museum yesterday, and usually i would get into it, but i was very tired from work and kinda bored.......I BIT MY NAILS THE ENTIRE TIME. see what i mean......should have a carry size nailpolosh remover in my purse and then i wouldnt have done it.

Answer 8

bad tasting stop-the-bite nail polish
and major will power.

Answer 9

Yep I know how. My cherokee grandma told me, rub the grease off a dogs butt on your nails. YOU WONT BITE THEM NO MORE.

Answer 10

i bite my nails too. so what i try doing is i put my hands in my pocket or if im at home i wear plastic gloves and it reminds me not to do it.!!!!!!