Dear Katie,
I’m a 26 year old graduate student who still eats his own boogers. It’s like I’m addicted to them. It’s usually just when I wake up or after work, but I do it at random points during the day as well. Are there any health concerns or is just a safe (if disgusting) habit?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
We all have habits we aren’t so proud of. I crack my knuckles, talk with my mouth full…I won’t even go on. This is a habit and you can break it.
Since you know some times of day that you are doing this, be very aware of your hands during these times. If you find yourself wanting to indulge in your habit, stop yourself. If it helps, keep a rubber band on your wrist and snap it every time you feel like it’s going to happen. This is a fairly common way to break a habit.
Another suggestion I have for you is to do something else with your mouth, especially when you are in the car. Chewing gum or sucking on a mint is a way to keep your mouth busy so that nothing else goes in. You could also chew on a toothpick, a trick that smokers use to quit.
I encourage you to do a little bit of trying to see what works for you. In better news, you aren’t slowly killing yourself with dried snot, you might actually be benefiting your immune system. Attached is an article that you might find interesting.
I hope that you break your habit, I know you can do it!
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