Nail Shield Update

It has been about a week since I put those little nail shields on my fingers, and they have actually helped quite a bit. I am, again, at work and noticing myself putting my fingers in my mouth, but this is the first time in about a week. Because the nail shields, in essence, make my fingernails thicker, they are somehow less bendable, pliable, and therefore bitable. Nail shields can be peeled almost as easily as they are applied. Its fun, but probably not a good habit to start forming.

I am on my final week of the month. That means I've gone almost a month without really biting. If it takes only 3 weeks to break a habit, I should be in the clear. However, I know better. I know that I have gone this long, even longer, without biting before only to wreak havoc on my nails in an hour. So, I am not raising my hands in hallelujah quite yet. Even still, almost a month is pretty good. And, hopefully, it will be the first of many successful good habits this year.

Impulses + Accidents (happy ones)

Because I was being nail naughty the other day, I decided to go to the store and get some supplies to help me beat this habit. I purchased gum and a nail file as I mentioned in the previous post, but I also made this weird impulse buy at the counter. Nail Shield. I honestly thought this was some sort of light-weight band-aid that one can apply to a fingernail to prevent biting. The package suggested that it "nourished" the nails. I am still not entirely sure if this product really does make nails stronger, but I think it may have served a purpose similar to the one I intended. The real intention of this Nail Shield is actually more like that of nail polish. Instead of painting, though, one only has to apply a sticker that adheres magically to the nail.

The package claims that I'll get "strong beautiful nails for up to 14 days!" using "Pearl Protein and Natural Botanical formula". What I actually got was a mini-manicure (well, I gave myself one, which is not quite the same as getting one). But, my nails really do feel stronger and/or thicker. I only applied this Saturday night, so it is not clear whether it has a long term impact. However, I have not been biting. This is kind of a big deal. Maybe even a breakthrough!

Oral Fixation

Look at all that white! And, by that I mean at the end of my fingernails. I have to admit that I have definitely put my fingers in my mouth. I think I may have even bitten ever so slightly. These occurrences seem to have been at work, and here is a good time to point out that my job is not stressful. Nonetheless, my nails are still coming in strong.

I've decided to attack this nail biting issue head on, or teeth on, as the case may be. This is a two-part plan:

1. Gum (I have to keep my mouth busy)
2. Nail file (I can keep my fingers neat)

In other oral news, I've taken on my second habit for the new year. Flossing. I am one of those lucky people that has never had a cavity. My latest dentist visit on Monday confirmed that I am still in this elite subset of the population. While my teeth are in good repair, there is nothing stopping my gums from deteriorating. And, I cannot think of something grosser than a receding gum line. I brush my teeth twice a day, change my toothbrush head once a month, do not consume too much sugar, and now am finishing the regime off with flossing at night. So far, so good. I've done it almost every night since my dentist's visit.

Work Yawn Nibble

I'm at work. On a Sunday. Needless to say, I'm bored and a bit tired. I have found myself sticking my fingers in my mouth, though not biting. I just like to have my tasty little digits in teeth's reach. And, I'm at this point in the grow-out process where I've got enough fingernail to actually get a good nibble. My nails also are long enough to show unevenness and snags.

I'm catching myself. I snapped this shot of my fingers to remind myself just how far I've come.

Someone once told me that nail-biters are perfectionists. And, that is why we bite our nails. We can't handle the disorder and unkempt appearance of imperfect nails. So, oddly enough, we abominate them instead. I tend to agree with this theory based not only on my own personal self-assessment but my experience with others. From work-a-holic professors to your run-of-the-mill tappers and smokers, biters are everywhere. And, I feel like I notice them all the time.

I wonder if non-nail-biters notice bitten fingernails as much as nail-biters do. I sincerely hope not.

Progress

You can see just a bit of white. This is progress.

Commute + Converse

On my morning commute today, I decided to whip out my camera and take a photo of my fingers. The person next to me on the BART train was curious about the candid photo op, and we ended up spending some time talking about fingernail biting and resolutions. He claimed to be a nail biter, as well. His nails were not too short and had a considerable amount of white tip that my fingernails desperately lack. Essentially, he was using nail biting as a grooming clipper. Functional. And, we concluded that he was more of a "maintainer" than an anxious biter.

While I am self-admittedly a worry wart, I don't associate my biting with real anxiety. I used to bite my nails while I driving (thankfully, I don't drive anymore, as this photo exhibits). I tend to bite my nails during movies, which is when I feel the most removed from my own stress. But, other than these two instances, I have had trouble finding any other patterns for my nail biting. It has just become a habit that is deeply imbedded in my muscle memory. I'll be halfway through demolishing a hand before I realize that my fingers are even in my mouth. If I slip up, I'll try to document my mood and mindset.

Day 1 (or Night rather)

The disappointing thing about not biting my nails is that there is no instant gratification. Take this New Year's Eve/Day photo, for instance. Can you see any visible change in fingernail length at all? Didn't think so.