NERVOUS HABIT - YOU CAN BREAK IT IN A FEW DAYS
If you have a nervous habit you'd like to break, don't pull your
hair out. You can put an end to fingernail-biting or
hair-twisting in a matter of several days - and you can do it on
your own.
The following 4-step plan will help you put an end to your
nervous habit for once and for all.
Recognize your bad habit. Increase your awareness of it by
acting it out in front of a mirror. Try to keep track of how
many times during the day you fall into your habit.
Devise a replacement action. If you're a hair-puller, start
carrying a brush and brush your hair each time you get the
pulling or twisting urge. A nail-biter should learn to
substitute filing his or her nails rather than biting.
Bring your habit out of the closet. Advise your work cohorts
and family that you are attempting to break your nervous habit.
Ask them to remind you when they catch you falling into your
habit.
Learn to take it easy. Relaxation will help you put an end to a
nervous habit. When you are too keyed up, your nervous habit
takes over, so learn to do some deep breathing when you begin to
feel uptight about something.
Your biggest hurdle in overcoming your nervous habit is in
recognizing it. Once you do this and really decide you want to
break it, you have done the hardest part. Good luck.
