Nail biting is pursued by many people in an effort to reduce stress, but it can have many unattractive side effects that make it a destructive one. A habit develops over time, and if it is used as a stress-reliever, it can quickly be adopted as part of a lifestyle. Nail biting in itself is a poor way to manage stress or anxiety. Although the self-gratifying behavior can bring some immediate results, it can lead to some unhealthy consequences in the long run. Ragged nails, poorly maintained hands, and increasing the risk of infection are just a few side effects of nail biting.

Stopping any habit will take time, patience, but can be a moment of self-discovery. Increasing self-awareness is the key to any physical habit that seems to be out of control. With nail biting, this means looking out for indicators and triggers that are causing the habit in the first place. This can be internal or external stress, anxiety, or even just boredom. The more that stress and anxiety can be managed in a healthy way, the chances are much lower that nail biting will occur.

Simple ways to get started on reducing or stopping the nail biting habit include topical treatments and creams, self-hypnosis, using an elastic band around the wrist to increase self-awareness, and learning new ways to manage stress. Topical treatments, gels, and creams are made of volatile substances that taste bitter and acidic. This prevents a person from turning to nail biting to lower anxiety and will increase their self-awareness. Self-hypnosis involves using soothing relaxation sounds and tapes that encourage healthy behaviors. Learning new ways to manage stress may include adopting a healthy exercise regime, looking for activities that increase self-confidence, or just simple meditation and relaxation throughout the day to lower anxiety naturally. 

Tags: stop nail biting, nail biting