She's a Biter

A new habit has attacked me. When I get nervous, or am thinking REALLY hard, I bite. Well, more like gnaw. On the inside of my cheek. Today was especially bad...

I had a horrendous Hearing Science test today that wasn't too hard, it just required way too much thinking and reasoning through each problem. My little mind was banging on all cylinders as I was taking the test. About 3/4 of the way through I realize that I had been ferociously gnawing on the inside of my cheek. Thankfully I hadn't started bleeding yet, but still... the poor thing was getting really sore and just screaming out for help.

But once I start, I can't stop. I have to keep gnawing, and I don't know why! Even after I'm aware of the biting, I just keep making it worse.

Food helps, but only for a tiny bit. Right after I take the final swallow, I'm back to chewing the cheek. I'm like a friggin chinchilla today! What I really need is some gum to keep my jaws occupied, but alas, no one in the office has gum. Blast! Why have a suddenly become the gnaw master? I truly don't get it. I never used to do this before this school year.

I think I need to break myself of this habit. It is no bueno. I don't want my cheek being chewed to pieces...that can't be good for oral hygiene, I'm sure. But how do I break ties with the gnawing if I'm not even aware when I begin doing it? Hmm...maybe I'll just stick with the gum for now, and hope this constant chewing is just a phase.

Any suggestions, folks?