I used to do stuff like that, biting my lip and picking at my cuticles, but was able to will myself to stop. Unfortunately, I am under a lot of stress lately - work, losing my dog to heart failure and so much more, and I have started again. I am not sure how to stop this time. It does seem to distract me from all the problems that are taking over my mind, so that's probably why I'm doing it. Maybe when I manage to calm down a bit I can stop again. I am just on edge constantly lately.