I play with my hair CONSTANTLY. Has anyone else broken this habit?

I play with my hair a ridiculous amount, at least 90% of the time subconsciously, and I've done it for years, since I was a teenager. Just the other day, I thought "I'm not going to touch my hair," and my hands were in my hair less than a minute later before I could even realize what I was doing. 🙄 A close friend has pointed out that she notices it's something I do when I get nervous, especially in social situations. I also had a teacher in high school mention that it's impossible for me to keep my hands out of my hair, and sadly not much has changed. It's annoying, not really a great habit to have, and I'm pretty sure it's damaging the ends of my hair. Has anyone else broken this habit, and what did you do? I'm not sure tying it up in a bun or similar style will be a good option for me unfortunately because I get bad headaches from tying my hair up for long periods or in tight/heavy styles (the only thing I can get away with for a couple of hours is a ponytail in a scrunchie that isn't too tight, and even that will hurt after so long - I also play with the end of the ponytail 🙄). I'd really like to break this annoying habit!

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AdaXI · T

I've never suffered from this but now it's getting closer to winter have you considered a headband...

Or maybe even a bobble hat...

I mean with stuff like that's a subconscious thing, so if your hair isn't there to fiddle with for a couple of months because it's buried underneath something that might stop you reaching for it without thinking x
乂º◡º乂

BnBSpringer09 · 26-30, F

@AdaXI Good idea, I might have to give them a try!

TheRascallyOne · 31-35, M

Did somebody say hare?

BnBSpringer09 · 26-30, F

@TheRascallyOne Such a cute, fluffy sweetheart! ♥

shakemeup · 36-40

Usually the best way to break a habit is to replace it with a new habit. Is there something else that helps you when you are feeling nervous?

BnBSpringer09 · 26-30, F

@shakemeup I haven't really thought about it! This is something I usually start doing subconsciously, so I'll have to try to catch myself and think of something else. Usually, at least some part of me has to be moving. Leg shaking, hands moving and doing something, shuffling on my feet, etc. Maybe wearing a piece of jewelry or something to fiddle with?

twistedrope · 26-30, M

I play with my hair. I twirl it when I'm relaxed. I will not stop doing it because it makes me happy. c: Whatever anyone else thinks is wrong.

If its a nervous tick I might see it being a bit of a problem though. But I have nervous tics as well and I'm not too concerned with them. I've got... life to live and stress to eliminate before caring about nervous tics o:

tl;dr play with your hair all you want. Fk everyone, you don't gotta be like them. It's your hands and hair after all.

SW-User

It could be anxiety related. Are you usually an anxious person?

BnBSpringer09 · 26-30, F

@SW-User Not as much as I used to be, but definitely yes. I do it most when I'm feeling nervous/anxious in certain situations, but it also feels like sort of a comfort thing at times as well.

YourMomsSecretCrush · M

Yep. I found a way to break the habit.

BnBSpringer09 · 26-30, F

@YourMomsSecretCrush How did you do it?

DDonde · 31-35, M

I always did too since I was a kid. Nowadays I only do it when I'm semi-conscious in between waking up and being asleep.

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