Nov 05, 2020 9:30 AM

To say there is a lot going on right now would be an understatement, right? Times like these make it harder to take care of ourselves, with our minds on so many other things. But taking care of yourself is important to stay healthy and safe, especially if you are living with diabetes. Here are ideas on how to do just that.
Start where you are and build good diabetes management habits with small steps. Below are strategies for caring for yourself, with examples of small goals that can, over time, add up to better diabetes management. Pick one at a time and pace yourself!
Be mindful of your food choices
Get sleep and practice good sleep hygiene
Be aware of your stress levels
Incorporate physical activity
Reach out for support
Reach out for support, whether from a family member or friend, or from someone on your healthcare team. Talk about your diabetes and your challenges and successes with managing it. Call or text a friend or family member once a week.
Check blood glucose
This strategy will be different for each person. Some people check every day, some people check once or twice a week, and others have not been instructed to check blood glucose at all. If you are not currently checking BG, talk to your provider about getting started. If you are currently checking, try checking one more time per week, or checking 2 hours after one meal to see how the food from that meal affected your glucose.
Remember to give yourself a pat on the back for taking the small steps to take care of yourself. Celebrate your successes and acknowledge how you feel. And when you’re ready, add another small step.