Breaking bad habits is like breaking up with a slutty girlfriend; you'll be bored and lonely at first but you'll cherish the long-term benefits. These bad habits are unfortunately always a consequence of deeper problems; they are just a way of venting accumulated stress.

While they usually serve an immediate purpose, they bring their load of troubles that will burden you in the end. So scroll down if you're tired of these dreadful quirks and be prepared to lead a new life.

the beginning

Before you change your ways, you have to be aware of your nasty habits. In most cases, you've been harboring this behavior since childhood and it might have become second nature. If you're grinding your teeth, chances are you don't even notice it anymore. But if you want to change, you must realize what precise habit you wish to eradicate.

Because these habits can often set you apart, people may judge you for having them. Don't let yourself be cast aside because you bite your nails. Do not accept segregation under any circumstances.

Be willing to change. Everyone who has ever tried to quit smoking knows that the desire to stop must be relentless and ardent. If you are not passionate about your mission or if you're doing it for somebody else, eventually you will cave. Your willpower must be so intense that breaking the habit becomes the number one priority in your life.

When you've done all that, evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action to stamp out your nasty foible. Then, implement your plan and kiss that bad habit goodbye.

get ready to quit

Start by keeping a log of every occurrence of your bad habit. Not only will this enable you to truly realize when you're guilty of doing it, but it will also be helpful in establishing a pattern. For example, you might recognize that you only pick your nose while watching television. Think of it as a reconnaissance mission -- intelligence gathering.

You might also want to involve your close friends and family in the process. Whenever you indulge yourself, have those close to you bring it to your attention, since the habits are frequently involuntary. It's often a good way to strike your pride and will help you in the motivation department.

Given that stress is a major contributing factor to the perpetration of bad habits, you should definitely investigate what is traumatizing you. Maybe you're concerned about your children or perhaps there's a situation at work that's bothering you. Bad habits are only a symptom, so if you fix the problem at the source, there won't be any need to continue doing it.

Sometimes, quirky behavioral addictions are merely a way to pass the time or steam off nervousness. They may seem meaningless but, once again, long-term disadvantages are to be expected. Seek new ways to occupy and calm yourself, such as practicing breathing exercises. You might even want to look into new, less damaging habits; for instance, consider carrying a yo-yo around.

specific problems

Nail biting
Nails are there for a reason; they protect your fingers from the elements. They also help you scratch that itch and facilitate picking up small objects. You know that they're useful; you've used them for all sorts of things. So why do you insist on biting them off? What you're ultimately doing is destroying your digital defense, and inviting germs to enter your bloodstream and wreak havoc on you.

Common tricks to kick this habit involve applying foul-tasting invisible polish on your fingernails or simply wearing gloves. Use a nail clipper to keep them short so that they'll be less alluring to your teeth. You can also keep your hands busy by doodling whenever you're tempted to gnaw, and generally keep them away from your oral cavity. Feel like biting them while you're stuck in traffic? Try tapping your steering wheel to the music.

Say goodbye to thumbsucking, nose picking, and more... Next Page >>

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