Biting one's nails

Biting one's nails is a widespread habit, which helps people to deenergize. People usually resort to it when they go through difficult periods of their lives, when they are extremely anxious, when they suffer from boredom and when they don't know what to do. This habit can be easily transformed form one person to another. Especially when one member of a family bites his/her nails, we can suppose that another family member will also do it sooner or later. Biting one's nails is the most widespread and firm habit in comparison with other addictions.

When you bite your nails you may fail to notice it. It often happens when you read and interesting and adventurous book, call your friend, watch an interesting TV programme, etc.

This habit is inherent in people, belonging to different age groups. About 50% of children and adolescents aged from 10 to 18 years old bite their nails regularly. Approximately 23% of young people between 18 and 22 years old have this habit. Only a small number of grown-ups bite their nails. Most people get rid of this habit by 30. And only about 10% continue doing it after reaching the age of thirty. Among children over 10 years old boys tend to bite their nails more often than girls.

The habit of biting one's nails can be accompanied by other pernicious habits. There are several ways to get rid of it. But your effort will be effective only if you really want it very much. First of all your nails should be trimmed and filed. Use techniques to manage stress, in case you bite your nails when you feel anxious and often overload. Do something with your hands: draw, write, sew, knit etc.

This habit violates the normal growth of nails. Biting one's nails may be the first signal of an obsessive neurosis. That is why you should not only follow your habits, but your conduct as well.