{"id":117551,"date":"2026-01-18T13:39:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T18:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/the-real-reason-for-nail-biting-and-other-bad-habits-according-to-psychologists-117551"},"modified":"2026-01-18T13:39:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T18:39:49","slug":"the-real-reason-for-nail-biting-and-other-bad-habits-according-to-psychologists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/the-real-reason-for-nail-biting-and-other-bad-habits-according-to-psychologists-117551","title":{"rendered":"The real reason for nail-biting and other ‘bad habits,’ according to psychologists"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Nail-biting, procrastination and avoidance are often framed as bad habits we can’t control, but a new psychology book<\/a> argues that they\u2019re more like survival strategies that may have once protected us.<\/p>\n

In “Controlled Explosions in Mental Health,” clinical psychologist Dr. Charlie Heroot-Maitland examined why people stick with bad habits that seem to work against their own best interest.<\/p>\n

Drawing on years of clinical research and therapeutic practice, the expert reveals how the brain prioritizes predictability and safety over comfort and happiness.<\/p>\n

HAPPINESS EXPERT SHARES 6-STEP MORNING ROUTINE THAT BOOSTS MOOD AND PRODUCTIVITY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

“Our brain is a survival machine<\/a>,” he told Fox News Digital. “It is programmed not to optimize our happiness and well-being, but to keep us alive.”<\/p>\n

For much of human history, being caught off-guard could be fatal, research shows. “The brain prefers predictable pain over unpredictable threat,” Heriot-Maitland said. “It does not like surprises.”<\/p>\n

When faced with uncertainty, the brain may opt for smaller, self-sabotaging behaviors rather than risking larger, unpredictable ones.<\/p>\n

The book argues that “the brain uses these small harms as a protective dose to prevent further harms.” Procrastination, for example, may create stress and frustration, but it can also delay exposure to the higher-stakes fear of failure or judgment.<\/p>\n

CREATIVE HOBBIES KEEP THE BRAIN YOUNG, STUDY FINDS \u2014 HERE ARE THE BEST ONES TO PURSUE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

“The central argument is that behaviors we label as \u2018self\u2011sabotaging\u2019 could actually be attempts by the brain<\/a> to control discomfort,” Thea Gallagher, a psychologist and wellness programs director at NYU Langone Health, told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In modern life, threats are often more emotional<\/a> than physical. Rejection, shame, anxiety and loss of control can activate the same survival systems as a physical threat, experts say.<\/p>\n

“Our brains have evolved to favor perceiving threat, even when there isn’t one, in order to elicit a protective response in us,” Heriot-Maitland said.<\/p>\n

Self-criticism, avoidance and actions like nail-biting can function as attempts to manage the “dangers.”<\/p>\n

Gallagher noted that the book leans on clinical insight rather than empirical research.<\/p>\n

“That doesn\u2019t make it wrong, but it means the claims are more interpretive than scientific,” she said, noting that more data is needed to determine what is happening on a “mechanistic level.”<\/p>\n

STUDY REVEALS WHY CHEWING GUM MIGHT ACTUALLY HELP WITH FOCUS AND STRESS RELIEF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Gallagher also emphasized that external factors, such as ADHD<\/a>, trauma, chronic stress or socioeconomic pressures, can shape these behaviors in ways that aren\u2019t just about threat responses.<\/p>\n

Rather than seeing patterns like procrastination as flaws, the book encourages people to understand their protective function. That said, people should seek professional support<\/a> for destructive behaviors that could cause severe distress or self-harm.<\/p>\n

“I encourage my patients to think about short-term pain for long-term gain, because if you just respond to discomfort and distress in the moment, you might find yourself in longer-term patterns you don\u2019t like or want,” Gallagher said.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t think it explains the motivations for all people, as everyone is different, but I think it can certainly apply to some.”<\/p>\n

Heriot-Maitland noted that everyone has a choice in how they handle their own potentially harmful habits.<\/p>\n

“We don’t want to fight these behaviors, but nor do we want to appease them and let them carry on controlling, dictating and sabotaging our lives,” he said.<\/p>\n

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Gallagher shared the following practical tips for people who may notice these patterns.<\/p>\n

Instead of asking yourself “Why am I like this?” try focusing on the function of the behavior, she advised. For example, does it serve to soothe, numb or distract from other fears or threats?<\/p>\n

“Observing the behavior with curiosity helps weaken the automatic threat response,” Gallagher said.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

This can mean relying on grounding techniques<\/a>, supportive relationships, predictable routines and self\u2011soothing practices.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

“If the brain fears uncertainty, gently introducing controlled uncertainty can help retrain it,” the expert recommended.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source – https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\/real-reason-nail-biting-other-bad-habits-according-psychologists <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nail-biting, procrastination and avoidance are often framed as bad habits we can’t control, but a new psychology book argues that they\u2019re more like survival strategies […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_2902945987_2902945987":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[16563],"tags":[],"stock_ticker":[],"class_list":["post-117551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-market-news","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe real reason for nail-biting and other 'bad habits,' according to psychologists - Wall Street PR<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/the-real-reason-for-nail-biting-and-other-bad-habits-according-to-psychologists-117551\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The real reason for nail-biting and other 'bad habits,' according to psychologists - 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