A lot of people struggle with breaking the nail-picking habit, and if you are one of them, I believe that you are already aware that this can be tough. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t put a stop to this habit. In fact, many have managed to stop this habit and you can be one of them if you decide to read on and follow the tips highlighted below.
1. Understand why you are picking your nails and address it
Picking your nails can be a nervous habit, or it could be a way to relieve boredom or stress. The key is to identify the reasons why you are doing it and then find better ways to manage your emotions or boredom. For example, if you feel stressed, try engaging in some deep breathing exercises or taking a walk outdoors.
2. Keep your nails trimmed and well-manicured
Keeping your nails trimmed and well-manicured can help reduce the temptation to pick them. Not only will this make them look nicer, but it will also make them less vulnerable to picking.
3. Put a Bandaid on your nails
If you are really struggling to stop picking your nails, you can try putting a Bandaid on them or try to keep your gloves on. Well, this might not seem helpful but it will remind you not to pick and it will also protect your nails from being damaged.
4. Keep your hands busy
If you are someone who tends to pick their nails when they are bored, try keeping your hands busy by doing things like knitting, coloring, or playing a game. This will help to keep your hands occupied and it will reduce the temptation to pick your nails.
5. Apply a bitter nail polish
There are certain nail polishes that are made with bitter ingredients and these can be helpful in stopping the picking habit. When you apply this polish, it will make your nails taste bad and this will discourage you from picking them.
6. Consider acrylic nails
Have you ever considered putting on acrylic nails? Well, you might want to consider putting them on. Acrylic nails are not only very strong, but they also make it difficult to pick your nails. In fact, these nails are difficult to bite and pick, which means that this can be a good way to help you break the nail pricking habit.
7. Talk to a therapist
If you find that you are struggling to break the nail-picking habit on your own, you may want to consider talking to a therapist. This is a good option if you feel like the habit is out of your control or if you are experiencing other mental health issues.
8. Reward yourself for breaking the habit
When you finally manage to break the nail-picking habit, reward yourself with something that you enjoy. This could be something like a new book, a day at the spa, or a weekend away. Rewarding yourself will help to keep you motivated and it will make the process of breaking the habit a little bit more fun.
In conclusion, nail picking, or onychophagia, is a compulsive behavior that can be difficult to break. If you are struggling to break this habit, try the tips highlighted in this article. You may find that one of these tips works better for you than the others, but it is important to be patient and to keep trying. Good luck!
Picking your nails can be a nervous habit, or it could be a way to relieve boredom or stress. The key is to identify the reasons why you are doing it and then find better ways to manage your emotions or boredom. For example, if you feel stressed, try engaging in some deep breathing exercises or taking a walk outdoors.
