As you"re walking out of the movie theater you look down at your nails and realize that you started nibbling on them as soon as the popcorn was all gone. You were biting your fingernails without even noticing it. Does this scenario sound familiar to you? Many people find that biting fingernails is an extremely difficult habit to quit. Biting fingernails is a behavioral problem that can become very much a part of your daily life.
There are many different reasons that people bite their nails. Anxiety is thought to be the main cause for most nail biting. Humans tend to engage in repetitive or even harmful behaviors when they are anxious. Some repetitive behaviors include the twisting or pulling of the hair, picking at skin, and biting fingernails. Even though some people have a psychological reason for their nail biting, for others it is simply a habit with no hidden motivation. These people will find that quitting this habit will be a relatively easy task.
Biting Fingernails "" Reasons To Stop
Biting fingernails is not a habit that you want to have as it has been associated with several problems. The main drawback to biting fingernails is one of aesthetics. Everyone agrees that well manicured nails look infinitely more attractive than nails that have been bitten off. Nail biting can even leave your fingernails permanently damaged if the nail beds are injured.
Another major concern that all nail biters should have has to do with hygiene. Your fingernails are one of the dirtiest parts of your body. During the course of a normal day countless germs are trapped and collected beneath the nails. As you sit biting fingernails you are allowing all of these germs unchecked access to your body.
Even people who practice excellent hygiene are forced to handle objects that are contaminated. Studies on the overall cleanliness of the general population have not produced very good findings. A mere 61% of people surveyed wash their hands after they have coughed or sneezed. 15% of people admit to leaving the restroom without washing their hands! 46% or those who claim to wash only do it for fifteen seconds! You handle the same products at the supermarket as these folks do. You use the same ATM machines. You open the same doors. The world is a dirty place; don"t make it any easier for the germs to end up in you!
Biting Fingernails "" How To Stop
Using substitution is a great way to stop biting fingernails. If you notice that you are biting fingernails you must stop at once. Replace the unwanted behavior with a more desirable one. Many have turned to drawing or journaling as a means to keep both the mind and fingers occupied. Carrying a stress ball with you wherever you go is another method you can try. The main thing that will help you stop biting fingernails is to keep the hands busy. Pay attention to what you do with your time and set yourself up for success!