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The following are helpful tips to help you stay in control of managing diabetes.
- It's not about your diabetes — it's about your life
Ask yourself:- What do I love to do?
- What things about diabetes keep me from doing it?
- What are some solutions?
- How can making an action plan help?
- It's not just about blood sugar
Heart disease and stroke are the big killers for people with diabetes. Here's how to lower your chances:- If you use tobacco, quit.
- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80.
- Ask your doctor about taking a statin drug, these can be helpful even if you don’t have high cholesterol.
- Ask your doctor about ACE-inhibitors.
- Talk to your doctor about whether a daily aspirin is right for you.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices.
- Stress makes everything worse
Stress can get in the way of taking care of yourself and managing your diabetes.- Find out what's causing stress in your life.
- Learn ways to reduce or cope with daily stressors.
- Schedule something fun for yourself on a regular basis.
- Physical Activity makes everything better
Physical activity is good for everybody. It gives you more energy, reduces stress, helps you relax, and makes it easier to fall asleep.- Work towards doing at least 30 minutes every day.
- Make it fun, not a chore.
- Try a pedometer.
- Spend less time sitting.
- Don't diet — make healthier food choices
Find a healthier way of eating that you can stick with for life.- Instead of thinking about food as either "good" or "bad," think about which foods support good health.
- Eat a variety of foods to make sure you're getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
- Consider smaller portions to help with blood sugar and weight
- Talk to your dietitian to find a meal plan that works for you.
- Be smart and use your "flashlight"
Your blood sugar monitor helps you see in the dark, like a flashlight. Check your blood sugar to get information you can use, for example:- When you first wake up in the morning.
- Before or after meals.
- Before, during, and after exercising.
- Whenever you feel "odd."
- Get regular checkups
Keeping regular appointments with your doctor and getting tests and screenings on time, helps you be an active partner with your health care team.- Know what questions to ask.
- Write them down ahead of time.
- Let your doctor know at the beginning of each visit what specific things you want to talk about.
- Make sure you're not depressed
It's often hard for people to know when they're depressed. Here are some common signs:- Feeling down, blue, hopeless, sad, or irritable
- Not enjoying activities that used to be enjoyable
- Feeling as though you're letting other people down
- Trouble concentrating
- Tired all the time, no energy
- No interest in food
- Overeating
- Trouble falling asleep
- Feeling like life isn't worth living
- Write down your care plan
Work with your doctor to design a diabetes care plan that's right for you. Be sure to include:- What drugs you're taking and why you're taking them.
- Your daily targets.
- The goals you want to achieve.
- Who you should call and when to ask for help.
- Join a group
Groups work magic!- A problem shared is a problem solved.
- You'll be amazed at how much you have to offer others.