4 Positive Ways to Cope With Diabetes
Getting a diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In fact, it may be a powerful jumping-off point for getting your life back on track. Almost everyone knows someone who is living with this disease. According to the CDC, “in the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.”
It’s important to remember that if you do get that diagnosis, it’s quite possible to turn it into a positive experience and also use it as a motivator to take your health back. Below are some ways that you can cope with being a diabetic that can help you to see it in a more positive light:
Treat Yourself Kindly
A healthy mind contributes to a healthy body. If you get a diagnosis that’s less than thrilling, see it as a time to go within and treat yourself lovingly. Affirmations can be a powerful way to do just that.
Studies have shown that affirmations can decrease stress and help a person to respond to life’s challenges in more positive ways. Many believe that you can also influence your health by changing how you speak to yourself. A few affirmations to start off with are:
- I love and accept myself completely.
- I love my body.
- I am at peace.
Even if you think that all of this sounds far-fetched, it couldn’t hurt anything to give yourself some love and gratitude. If anything, you’ll at least feel better and perhaps be a bit more peaceful.
Educate Yourself
One thing’s for sure, if you are a person living with diabetes, there’s never been a better time to do so. With all of the options and medical advancements underway, it should be very encouraging to those diagnosed.
From an artificial pancreas that adjusts your blood sugar levels to longer-lasting insulin treatments, which means fewer injections, the improvements are astounding. The enhancements in medications for diabetes continues to be studied and improved upon, as well.
You’ll find diabetic benefits in other areas, also. For example, there are Diabetics Life Insurance policies specifically for people living with the disease, which won’t deny you based on your pre-existing condition. It’s important to look at all of the positive options that are available to you that you can tap into.
Use It as a Motivator
As difficult as a diabetes diagnosis is, it can also be an excellent motivator for getting your health and body in order. Many people, in general, feel like they should eat better, exercise more, and do more to take better care of their health, but never take the initiative to do so.
Receiving health news from your doctor that is rather disheartening, can be just what you need to get to where you want to be. Start taking up an exercise program that you really love. You are much more likely to stick with a form of exercise when you genuinely enjoy it. Whether that’s dancing, swimming, cycling, or walking, find what works for you and go with it.
It’s also a given that changing up your diet could massively improve your life. It’s something that everyone should do, but for a person with diabetes, it’s even more crucial. Vegetables, fish, healthy grains, lean proteins, and walnuts are just a few of the many food options available. Focus on all of the good foods that you can have instead of all that you’re supposed to avoid.
Join the Community
One of the major upsides of being diagnosed with diabetes is the opportunity to meet so many others who are going through similar experiences as you. Between an online community of people and local support groups in town, you’ll have no trouble finding others to share with who truly understand.
Look into meetup groups that are in your area and even pursue the many diabetes fundraising walks that take place. There are numerous opportunities for making connections throughout this journey. With it also being such a prevalent disease, you’re bound to know someone who is already in your life that has diabetes, too. Reach out to them as a source of support.
Once you feel you’re at a point to do so, you can even look into becoming a mentor for others – maybe even a speaker or a blogger. Share about your own journey through writing and become a source of inspiration for people.
With all of the knowledge and resources that are available today, getting a diabetes diagnosis isn’t quite what it used to be. Because of the medical advancements continuously underway, and the community support that’s available, you can live a more normal life than you think. Use this as an opportunity to take better care of yourself and make healthy, positive changes in your life.