[nomnum]

I've in sixth form now, and still can't kick the habit of biting my nails
I've got to over 21 days (when supposedly a habit forms) but I always unthinkingly restart.

Could anyone recommend some tips please? I really want to stop it because it's unhygienic and my hands look icky :P

[M4LLY]

Everytime you feel like chewing your nails, chew gum instead.

[TheSownRose]

I would say that nasty-tasting stuff, but after a while you actually develop a liking for it...

Nail biting is often a nervous habit. What are you thinking about or doing when you bite your nails?

[dothestrand]

I paint them with normal nail polish, if they look a bit nicer I'm not tempted to bite them.

[mmaize]

I had false nails put on which finally helped me to stop, until then nothing had helped. Good luck, it is a super hard habit to break.

[rachel.h]

I'm 21 now and I think I've eventually managed to stop biting mine! Probably my fifth real try and I'm doing my very very best not to start again!

There's no secret or trick to it I'm afraid. The only thing I can say to you is WILL POWER. You just have to stop. Think about how they'll look when you do stop and why you want to. I think I managed it by telling myself it was a challenge to prove to myself that I could do it.

When they do start to grow, book a manicure and go buy loads of nice nail polishes for motivation!

[nomnum]

(Original post by M4LLY)
Everytime you feel like chewing your nails, chew gum instead.

Oh thanks I never thought of that before

[nomnum]

(Original post by TheSownRose)
I would say that nasty-tasting stuff, but after a while you actually develop a liking for it...

Nail biting is often a nervous habit. What are you thinking about or doing when you bite your nails?

Aah so true, I tried it and it didn't work...
I recently started again during revision and exams! But sometimes it's almost like if I'm not concentrating (e.g watching TV) I'll start too?

[nomnum]

(Original post by rachel.h)
I'm 21 now and I think I've eventually managed to stop biting mine! Probably my fifth real try and I'm doing my very very best not to start again!

There's no secret or trick to it I'm afraid. The only thing I can say to you is WILL POWER. You just have to stop. Think about how they'll look when you do stop and why you want to. I think I managed it by telling myself it was a challenge to prove to myself that I could do it.

When they do start to grow, book a manicure and go buy loads of nice nail polishes for motivation!

Oh I hope you stay with it!

Sometimes I think I've beaten it and do my victory dance etc. and then sooner or later I'll start again D: Constant vigilance! I guess... Haha

Good idea for the manicure! Thanks

[JayReg]

(Original post by nomnum)
Oh I hope you stay with it!

Sometimes I think I've beaten it and do my victory dance etc. and then sooner or later I'll start again D: Constant vigilance! I guess... Haha

Good idea for the manicure! Thanks

Not a feminine guy so don't do the whole nail polish thing. Though I found that just trying to put some effort making them look nice (nail filing and the like) means I'm less inclined to ruin it all by biting. I also sometimes fall back into biting and it only takes a few seconds for me to put them into a mangled mess !

[nomnum]

(Original post by JayReg)
Not a feminine guy so don't do the whole nail polish thing. Though I found that just trying to put some effort making them look nice (nail filing and the like) means I'm less inclined to ruin it all by biting. I also sometimes fall back into biting and it only takes a few seconds for me to put them into a mangled mess !

Thanks for the idea! I've bitten mine down really short so I can't actually file them! Did you ever reach that stage?
I have managed to keep two fingers safe though... The other fingers get sacrificed but I hope to increase the safe numbers :P

[M4LLY]

(Original post by nomnum)
Oh thanks I never thought of that before

It worked for one of my older brothers

[elia]

You can buy this real nasty stuff from the chemist which you put on your nails, and I can guarantee it'll make you stop.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by nomnum)
I've in sixth form now, and still can't kick the habit of biting my nails
I've got to over 21 days (when supposedly a habit forms) but I always unthinkingly restart.

Could anyone recommend some tips please? I really want to stop it because it's unhygienic and my hands look icky :P

There is a special type of nail varnish that you can buy from boots, so when you bite your nails they taste bitter.

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