Feeling Successful at Managing Your Diabetes: Tips and Strategies

Feeling Successful at Managing Your Diabetes: Tips and Strategies

When people are first diagnosed with diabetes, it can be overwhelming. Many people feel like it is their fault, and experience lots of shame, guilt, and sadness. It is important to approach your diagnosis with the right mindset so you can be successful at managing your blood sugar going forward. Whether you have a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset can be the key to your success, both with your blood sugar and your feelings about your ability to manage it.

Having a growth mindset means that you believe that your abilities can be developed over time, and that challenges provide an opportunity for learning and growth. A fixed mindset is the opposite–which is the belief that your abilities and talents, and situations in your life, are unchangeable or innate.

Using a growth mindset to focus on building healthy habits such as getting exercise, eating nutrient-dense foods, prioritizing sleep, and finding ways to manage stress will help you feel successful in small chunks, building momentum over time. Below are some areas to focus on.

Move Your Body

Find ways each day to move your body in a way that feels good to you. Walking is a great way to start! Studies show that just a 10-minute walk after meals [3 times per day] can help lower blood sugar more than just one 30-minute walk daily! Incorporate some weight lifting once you feel comfortable. Remember, this is a journey that takes place over time, and adjusting to a new way of living is a process.

Healthy Eating

Thinking of small ways to improve your diet will go a long way toward feeling successful. For example, you might find recipes for healthy swaps, or add one serving of protein or veggies to your daily intake. Consulting a nutritionist or meeting with a Diabetes Educator [see my last blog post for more info on what we do!] can also help you gain useful guidance.

Monitoring and Medications

Be sure to monitor your blood sugar daily, according to your doctor’s recommendations about frequency. Knowing your numbers will empower you when talking to your provider and making decisions about your care. Also, be sure to adhere to your medication dose and schedule to maximize effectiveness. Proving to yourself that you can competently manage your medications will also help you feel better physically, and feel successful at overall management!

Better Sleep and Lower Stress

Poor sleep and lots of stress that isn’t addressed can contribute to elevated blood sugars. Each day, try a calming activity, like meditation, journaling, yoga, or gentle stretching, while also practicing mindfulness to prepare your body for sleep and lower your stress levels. Trying different strategies will allow you to determine which work for you and your body. Once you find your preference, being committed to spending just a few minutes on it per day can make a noticeable difference.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting small goals over time is the best strategy for success. You can’t do it all at once–so taking small things and making gradual, but regular changes in the right direction can help you see your progress! Some clients like to journal, writing down their experience so they can look back on it after several months to see how far they have come. Others like to take before and after photos, and some along the way, so that they can also see the progress that others do. This will help your self-esteem and give you tangible proof that you are making positive changes.

Build Your Team

Build a support team to include a diabetes educator, family members, friends, or a support group [like my Facebook Group–see below!] with other individuals walking a similar path. Having support from your community is a huge part of the mental health piece of any condition. Don’t be afraid to rely on people or reach out when help is needed.

To Sum it Up

The best thing you can do for yourself to feel successful at managing your diabetes is to approach it with a growth mindset. This means being open to the idea that this is something you can learn to do, something that will take time, and something that can be achieved by making small, gradual changes. Once you start to implement changes, you will absolutely see the results. The proof, also, will be in how you FEEL about your ability to manage your diabetes.

Share your stories in the Your Diabetes Dietitian Facebook Group! Our community there is growing and we would love for you to join!