Diabetes Self-Management: How to Show Your Diabetes Who’s Boss

Living with diabetes can be a challenge. Ask anyone who has diabetes, and they’ll tell you that there will always be the occasional tough day. But, with the right planning and support group around you, there will be many more good days than bad ones.

To help you show your diabetes who’s boss, here are some key diabetes self-management tips to help you seize each and every day.

You Don’t Have to Navigate Diabetes Alone

When it comes to diabetes self-management, perhaps the most important step is understanding that you don’t have to go it alone. Your doctor will always be there to assist you with any questions or concerns, as well as help create a diabetes self-management plan that works for you. Your family and friends should also be leaned on for support when you need it.

This goes without saying all the new, easy-to-use solutions out there that are designed to help you with your self-management. Whether it’s a new app that helps you keep track of the food you’re eating or your exercise, or a cutting-edge, user-friendly glucose meter, there are plenty of solutions out there to utilize.

Rebel + Mina can be one of those solutions. Rebel is a traditional test kit combined into a single meter that connects to your phone. With the all-in-one system, you can check your blood sugar on the go, anytime, anywhere.

As your personal sidekick, Mina will be there to remind you to check your blood sugar in two hours and encourage you to be more active. She is also interested in getting to know you better and will ask you questions so she can fine-tune her tips. Ask your boss or HR if your company offers Pops. If not, hand them this card to get the ball rolling!

Plan Your Day/Week/Month Out

Everyone could use a little more structure in their lives occasionally. This can be especially helpful for people with diabetes, as they can plan their exercises, meals, and any errands or other errands or obligations they have. Whether you keep a digital planner or prefer writing things down in a physical one, having a defined schedule can help ease the stress of daily diabetes self-management.

Make Healthy Food Choices

Eating a balanced diet is one of the best ways to successfully self-manage diabetes. Ensuring that you’re eating whole, healthy foods that you still enjoy eating is essential for managing your diabetes.

There are some great resources out there, including online blog posts or your doctor/dietician who can help you create the perfect grocery list for you. Here are some resources to get you started:

• Grocery List For People With Diabetes + 5 Recommended Dishes
• List of Foods That Lower Your Blood Pressure
• Low-Carb Diet and Diabetes (Tips For Finding a Balanced Diet That Works For You)
• Glucose Tablets – What Are They & What You Should Know

Make Being Active Part of Your Daily Habits

You’ve likely heard about the importance of being active as it pertains to your diabetes. But, how exactly does it help? According to the CDC, if you have diabetes, being active makes your body more sensitive to insulin, which helps manage your diabetes. Physical activity also helps control blood sugar levels and lowers your risk of heart disease and nerve damage.

Not to mention, there are some big mental health benefits to being active as well. Sometimes, a run, bike ride, or walk can be just what you need to de-stress your day.

Some additional benefits of exercise include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Losing weight, if needed
• Feeling happier
• Sleeping better
• Improving your memory
• Controlling your blood pressure
• Lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL cholesterol

Prioritize Stress Management

As mentioned, exercise is a great way to manage stress. But, there are some other ways you can manage your stress. For example, therapy use is going up, especially among younger folks who are bringing to see the value in prioritizing their mental health.

Managing stress is of the utmost importance for people with diabetes, as prolonged stress can cause a rise in blood sugar. First, it’s a good idea to see just how your stress affects your diabetes. You can do so by logging your stress levels (on a scale of 1–10) each time you measure your blood glucose levels.

Do you have any go-to diabetes self-management tips? Let us know in the comments!