You may have been told it’s a nervous habit, but biting your nails is actually a sign of your perfectionism.
Hear us out.
Yes, it might be slightly unsightly, or appear like you’re battling some internal anxiety, but a new study from the University of Montreal points to the habit as a sign of a person’s need to have everything in order and in place.
The study, published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, monitored 48 participants – half of whom bite their nails or cuticles.
The respondents were asked questions judging how often they experienced emotions like boredom, anger, guilty, irritability and anxiety. The groups were then exposed to scenarios designed to provoke feelings of relaxation, stress, frustration and boredom.
The findings showed a link between people who bite their nails and cuticles, with those who were prohibited from completing work in a timely manner or left without any mental stimulation in a room for six minutes.
It also noted that those who bite their nails are more likely to excel in their workplace, thanks to their dedicated manner.
Speaking about the results, lead author Dr. Kieron O’Connor said:
“We believe that individuals with these repetitive behaviours may be perfectionistic, meaning that they are unable to relax and to perform task at a ‘normal’ pace.
“They are therefore prone to frustration, impatience, and dissatisfaction when they do not reach their goals. They also experience greater levels of boredom.”
Meaning?
Well, nail-biters turn to chewing nails and eliminating jagged cuticles as a new goal personally set for themselves.
Not such a bad habit now, is it?
H/T The Huffington Post
