Tricks to Stop Nail Biting

• Nail biting is a difficult habit to conquer. Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images

  Nail biting is an oral habit of biting or chewing the fingernails that is common in both children and adults. Nail biting leaves your fingernails gnawed, short and unattractive. On top of aesthetics, nail biting is a compulsive habit that often shows nervousness or lack of self-discipline. According to Gilbreth Brown, author of "Stop Your Nailbiting," there are common tricks that will help you conquer your habit and grow healthy, beautiful nails.

Get A Manicure

• Pick a day that you are going to stop your nail biting and get a professional manicure. If you do not have the money for a professional, perform a manicure from home. A simple home manicure consists of pushing back the cuticles, moisturizing the fingers and filing the nails so that they are smooth and rounded. Having manicured nails paired with a day that you have decided to kick your habit will help motivate you. Whenever you catch yourself wanting to bite, look at your manicured nails and realize that you do not want to ruin them.

Tell Friends and Family

• Tell your friends, family and co-workers that you are going to stop biting your nails. When they see you falling back to the habit, ask them to remind you to stop. Not only will friendly reminders help keep you on track, telling others of your goal will help motivate you to accomplish it. According to Gamon Hlyde, author of "Break Bad Habits," by telling friends and family you are going to stop nail biting, you help yourself re-affirm your goal to conquer the habit.

Moisturize and File

• Keep moisturizing lotion and a nail file with you while you are quitting. Rough spots on the fingernails and cuticles are a common nail biting trigger. When you feel a rough spot on your cuticle, apply moisturizing lotion to smooth it. If your nails become rough, file them smooth with a nail file. According to Ann Gadd, author of "The Girl Who Bites Her Nails and the Man Who Is Always Late," filing your nails or applying lotion to them keeps them busy and away from your mouth, preventing nail biting.