Ways to Build Resilience to Better Manage Your Diabetes

Ways to Build Resilience to Better Manage Your Diabetes

It’s been determined that building resilience – the abilityto endure and bounce back from challenging situations – could be key to betterglycemic control. Accordingto the Mayo Clinic, “studies in people with diabetes have shown that highresilience levels are related to lower A1C levels.” Today, we’re sharing a fewproven ways you can start developing stronger coping strategies to handleliving with diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Before we dive into how to manage diabetes, let’s recap whatthe metabolic disease is. By definition, diabetes is a condition that impairsyour body’s ability to produce and/or respond to the hormone insulin. This, inturn, alters how your body turns food into energy, causing it retain an excess of bloodsugar in your bloodstream known as being hyperglycemic. Over a long stretch of time, diabetes and hyperglycemia can lead to serious health complications, ranging from heart disease to vision loss.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

While there are many symptoms thatcan indicate both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, some of the most common areincreased urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, slow-healing wounds, skinissues and tingling in the feet. Primary risk factors include being overweight,your family’s medical history and low levels of physical activity.

So, how can I build resilience?

The good news is that anyone can learn how to be resilient –it’s not something you’re necessarily born with. When it comes to a chronic condition, like diabetes, it can be particularly beneficial. Managing your diabetes can be emotionally draining sometimes, but building resilience can help you navigate the situation more smoothly. Here are three easy ways to get started:

Get connected

Living with diabetes might feel particularly discouraging if you’re trying to face it alone. In reality, you’re far from alone in this situation: More than 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes today, and 1 in 3 are at-risk or have prediabetes. That means that more likely than not, your friends and family are either dealing with diabetes themselves or are close to someone who is. By opening up to those around you, you’ll build a support group that helps you stay positive overall.

Embrace the change

In general, there’s a lot about life that’s beyond ourcontrol – but likewise, there’s a lot of ways that we can make a difference. So,even when you’re worrying about not having normal blood sugar or glucoselevels, it’s more productive to think about what you can do right now to startimproving the situation. Whether it’s a lifestyle change, a diet change or simply reducing negativity in your thinking, there are so many little adjustments we’re able to perform that add up to major results.

Make time for yourself

Beyond regular exercise and incorporating a healthier diet, taking care of yourself comes in a lot of different forms. It could be getting more sleep at night, so you’re better rested and prepared to take on challenges. It could also be setting aside one night a week to read quietly, take a bubble bath or whatever self-care helps you reset and recharge. When you start taking better care of yourself, both physically and mentally, fleeting problems and upsets will have less and less of an impact on your wellbeing.

Don’t forget that if you’re struggling with diabetes and starting to feel overwhelmed, there’s absolutely no shame in reaching out for help. Confide in a friend, a support group or a mental health professional about what you’re feeling and how it’s affecting you. And don’t forget: As you continue to cope with diabetes, there will be good and bad days – but by using these tips to build resilience, you can minimize the setbacks and better manage your condition.

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