Fingernail biting, or Onychophagia, is a habit that can be present not only in kids, or teenagers, but also in adults. Biting your nails can be very addictive, and is not that easy to put an end to, most especially if you're suffering from chronic Onychophagia. Studies say that this condition is caused by feelings of anger, anxiety, or being hypertensive. Here are more information and suggestions that can help you quit nail biting:
Discourage this habit in children as soon as you notice them
It is difficult to stop fingernail biting if you're an adult, compared to when you're a kid. Thus, if your child engages in nail chewing, it is a must that you discourage him or her from doing that immediately. There are a number of ways to do this, but with kids, relying on a 'punishment system' can be more effective. For instance, you can tell your kid that if he/she does not stop chewing nails, your kid can't watch TV, or do something he or she likes. It's up to you - the point is that you should end it while your son or daughter is a child, and not when he/she has reached the teenage years, or worse, the adult years.
File your nails and manicure them
If you're still biting your nails in adulthood, there is still hope for you to stop your bad habit. You can quit nail biting with the help of filing/manicuring activities. By filing your nails and putting nail polish on them, your fingernails will surely look attractive, thus, you may find it hard to bite and ruin them. Just imagining the time you spent making them look lovely, or the money you spent at the salon will encourage you to stop fingernail biting.
You can also stop chewing nails if you use a special nail polish created specifically for nail biters. The polish actually tastes very bitter, thus, preventing people from biting their nails. You would not want to have bitter tastes in your mouth so instead of biting your nails, you'll surely opt to refrain from biting them.
Get rid of depression, loneliness, anxiety, etc
Treating your depression and anxiety can also help you quit nail biting. After all, so many researches have shown that there is indeed a link between Onychophagia and the above mentioned feelings. To cure these feelings which can thus make you stop fingernail biting, it is recommended that you have sufficient sleep daily and eat healthy foods, among others.
Author Resource:-
Karen Winton has a variety of health-themed articles that are good reads. Want to annihilate Onychophagia? Take this course: Quit Nail Biting. To be able to cope effectively with ADHD, see: Take Control Of Your ADHD.
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