As we all know, dealing with diabetes can be overwhelming and stressful, which is why it’s so important to maintain and manage your mental health.
Let’s start with the initial diagnosis…
When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, you may feel like you have lost sight of yourself, don’t have any free time, or are constantly worried about your blood glucose levels running too high/too low. It’s important to carve out time during the beginning phases of your diagnosis to give yourself some grace and enjoy life as you did before. Some fun activities that you can incorporate when you first are diagnosed is to take a soak in a hot tub, go for a walk, hang out with your friends, play games, go and grab ice cream with your friends, or even see a movie. These activities have reminded me that my life is exactly the same, I just had to navigate and balance a new factor in it!
As for ways I manage my stress and anxiety, I always resort to one of these options:
- reading a book
- going for a walk
- dancing
- exercising/strength training
- mindful breathing
- listening to music and going for a drive
- playing a sport
Stress can be inevitable with diabetes since it’s a 24/7 disease one has to manage, but finding the ways to cope with stress and getting your mind off of diabetes is extremely healthy for you. Try to pick something that you enjoy, relaxes you, and allows you to recharge. Drinking tea before bedtime always calms me throughout the night, as well as the next morning. Cava tea and chamomile lavender are my two favorite flavors.
Hopefully this information was helpful for anyone reading! Always remember that you don’t have to fight this battle alone, and that you have a whole community ready to help you out, as well as family & friends!
C’est la vie baby!
