10 Tips for Living With Diabetes

Diabetes is an entirely manageable condition, and with the right habits and correct guidance from your doctor, managing it will become second nature. Healthy lifestyle choices can make a world of difference in the treatment of diabetes. In this article, we go over the top 10 tips you should keep in mind to help manage diabetes.

Rotate Injection Spot

One of the most practical tips for living with diabetes is changing or rotating your injection spot. This way, you avoid scar tissue building up, which can be an inconvenience and aesthetically unpleasant. Moreover, by choosing the right place to inject yourself, you can increase the speed of hormone absorption. Unsuitable injection areas, on the contrary, can slow down absorption. Another benefit of rotating your injection spot is pain tolerance; you may find that some places are less painful than others. Of course, you should consult your doctor before attempting to modify your injection routine, just to be sure.

Join a Support Group

Diabetes can take a toll on mental health. Emotionally, dealing with diabetes presents a whole set of issues that other people simply don’t have. This can make it difficult to fit in and be understood. To remedy this, try joining a support group for people with diabetes. Most patients find this extremely rewarding as it’s an opportunity to share and receive advice and other useful information with others. You can most likely find a support group through your hospital, but you can also check online for other alternatives. If needed, you may consult a psychologist.

Take Some Time Off

Often, diabetes patients are misunderstood by the general population. Having diabetes can, at times, be physically and mentally tiring, and it’s necessary to take breaks. If you’re feeling drowsy, in pain, or just not in a good mood, don’t be afraid to tell others. It’s important to know that dealing with diabetes involves lots of rest, and as a person with diabetes, you are entitled to do so. Whenever you have high blood glucose, the symptoms may get to you, so be prepared. Whether at work or school, you may need to recover for a bit.

Improve Physical Health

To deal with the stress that comes with having diabetes, you can work on some things such as muscle mass and stress levels. Combined, these can significantly improve your overall condition. When it comes to stress management, the most important thing to remember is to keep your mind stable; going on walks, breathing exercises and eating healthy are a few tips to help. With regard to muscle mass, try increasing weight training and make changes to your diet. Incorporate more lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables into your meal plan.

Stay Informed

Education can be a powerful tool in the fight against diabetes. It can help you to understand better the causes of your disease and how to fight it effectively. By fostering a deeper understanding, you can apply your knowledge in practical terms and see a large improvement in your condition. Besides knowing what to do, you’ll also understand what not to do (which foods to stay away from, which habits to avoid, and so on). Some great sources on diabetes can be found online, but be sure to look for reputable information. You can also ask your doctor for recommendations.

Talk To Your Health Care Specialist

Your health care professional, whether that be your doctor, physical therapist, or otherwise, is certainly one of the best sources of information on all things diabetes. Ranging from exercise routines to meal tips, these individuals have the know-how and expertise to guide you on your trip through the roller coaster that is diabetes. So the next time you find yourself in one of their offices, don’t take their advice for granted; be proactive and don’t be afraid to engage with them. If you don’t feel satisfied with your health care specialist, don’t hesitate to change your provider.

Ensure Good Hygiene

This is one of the most overlooked measures when it comes to treating diabetes. Nothing is more important than accurately measuring your blood sugar levels. This is particularly the case for people with diabetes who have to monitor their sugar levels throughout the day. Before testing your blood sugar levels, it’s important to clean the skin to ensure accurate measurement. After cleaning with mild soap, dry the skin completely. It only takes you a few seconds of your time, but your body will thank you.

Order Healthy Food

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you should give up on the pleasures of life. Eating out can be a great way to relax and spend valuable time with friends or family. Or it can be an easy way to avoid cooking at home. But just as with most things in life, diabetes patients have certain restrictions. When choosing a restaurant, ask: Does it have various choices of food? Does it provide salt-free or reduced-sodium food? If so, feel free to order.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Getting sufficient sleep is a major step in achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle. No amount of vitamins or minerals or even exercise can substitute for a good night’s sleep. You should aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night. If you can’t commit to the eight hours, which is understandable in modern society, you can make up for it by recovering from lost sleep during the weekends. It’s important not to sleep too much, as this may increase your risk of getting a heart attack.

Stay Active

A key component in the fight against diabetes is exercise. Even the lightest forms of physical activity, such as light jogging or yoga, have proven to be enormously beneficial for the body and mind. Other forms of exercise like weight lifting can also increase your happiness levels, and above all, help to keep you in shape. Besides exercise, a good diet is essential. It’s often said that the diet accounts for 80 percent of your results and exercise 20 percent, making these two elements complementary for good health. Consult your doctor before attempting a new exercise routine.