The
following are helpful tips to help you stay in control of managing diabetes.
1. 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?
2. 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 at or below 129/79.
·
Consider
taking a stain drug.
·
Ask
your doctor about ACE-inhibitors.
·
Talk
to your doctor about whether a daily aspirin is right for you.
·
Make
healthy lifestyle choices.
3. 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.
4. Exercise makes
everything better
Exercise 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.
5. 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.
·
Talk
to your dietitian to find a meal plan that works for you.
6. Be smart and use your
"flashlight"
Your blood sugar monitor helps you see
in the dark, like a flashlight. Test 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."
7. 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.
8. 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
9. 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 for the numbers you can control.
·
The
goals you want to achieve.
·
Who
you should call and when.
10. 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.
·
Check
out the Living Well With Diabetes workshops.
