Nail biting?

[Lil' Miss Dolly]

So, I am a horrible nail biter. I have tried a ton of stuff to stop it but nothing has worked so far. I have been collecting pacis but I dont use them much outside of bedtime. My question is has anyone used their pacis to stop nail biting? I just want pretty princess nails... not gross stumps. 

[PrincessClara]

I used my paci to stop smoking. I am sure it would work to help curb your nail biting habits too. Or chew gum, or use some of the pepper nail polish so when you chew them you get the yucky taste in your mouth. 

[Lil' Miss Dolly]

I tried the hot sauce nail polish... but i love spicy foods so i literally sucked it off my fingers. I tried the stop and grow stuff which has a chemical grossness taste but it wasnt enough to deter me lol

[Guest]

My friend gets fake press on nails from Walgreens so her real nails can grow out under them. Not sure if help you but that's what she does

[James Connolly]

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Edited June 21, 2024 by James Connolly

[BrattyKat]

I really suggest reading The Power of Habit. The jist of the book is that you can't stop a habit, you can only modify it.

 

There are 3 parts to every habit: the cue, the action, and the reward. The cue and reward are difficult to change and aren't actually the problem. The problem is the action, which in your case is nail biting. This is what you want and CAN change.

 

Before trying to change the action, you need to analyze the cue and reward. What are the things that lead you to bite your nails and what sort of reward or release do you get out of it? Once you figure that stuff out, it will be a lot easier to change the action.

 

Here's an example. Let's say you figure out you bite your nails when you're anxious and biting your nails releases that anxiety. Well then, what is something else you can do that soothes your anxiety? You could brush your hair, listen to calm music, chew gum, whatever works for you. Now that you have an action you want to switch for the nail biting, every time you feel like biting or catch yourself biting your naild, do the alternative action.

 

This process takes time but IT WILL WORK. Believe in yourself.

[MisterMomo]

At home the paci can be an idea... I use it and it works... maybe you can have something else similar for other places.

 

I like brattykat idea of finding other ways to relax too...