Coping with Diabetes

Diabetes can be overwhelming and stressful. Stress can elevate your blood glucose. Here are some strategies to help you cope with your stress:

Educate yourself – Use this packet to help you gain knowledge about diabetes and how you can help control your diabetes. Open up to family and friends – Involve your family and friends in your diabetes care and create a support group. Let them know how you are feeling and allow them to be a part of your treatment plan.

Open up to family and friends – Involve your family and friends in your diabetes care and create a support group. Let them know how you are feeling and allow them to be a part of your treatment plan.

Assemble a solid health care team – Develop a relationship with your doctor, dietitian, pharmacist, patient educator and Legacy care team associate who make you feel comfortable about sharing your feelings.

Set realistic goals – Dietary and lifestyle changes can be difficult to make and in trying to live a healthier lifestyle, do the best you can and know that you won’t hit 100 percent every time.

Get active – Exercise is a powerful tool in managing stress – create a routine to get some physical activity daily.

Get involved – Rather than worrying about developing complications of diabetes someday, focus on the healthful behaviors you are learning and how those new habits will help you manage your blood glucose and keep you from developing complications.

Relax – Use meditation and breathing techniques to help you relax and decrease stress.