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November is Diabetes Awareness Month

How to Take Charge of Your Diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Whether you need advice on what to eat or help tracking your blood sugar levels, these tips can make the whole process easier. 

Try these six tips from experts to take the pressure off living with diabetes and improve your well-being:

  •  Say “yes” to offers of help- Studies show that people can manage their diabetes better when they have support from loved ones. A strong support group can help you make positive changes. 
  • Take baby steps with exercise- When it comes to exercise, it’s key to remember that everyone is at a different level. One good rule of thumb: If your fitness level is low, start slow.
  • Practice self-care- “I tell all my patients with diabetes that wellness and prevention begin as soon as their feet hit the floor in the morning,” says Marie Ruggles, MS, RD, CN, CDE. A Clinical Nutritionist and certified Diabetes Educator in Long Island, N.Y. “It’s so important that you view everything you do to stay healthy as an act of self-love.”
  • Love what you eat- Your will be more successful at managing your diabetes if you focus on what you like to eat and discuss your dietary needs with a counselor or nutritionist.
  • Get some digital assistance- There are a bunch of high-tech tools that can help you manage your diabetes, and they’re often covered by insurance.
  • Lean on your care team- If you have diabetes, you’ll need more than just regular wellness check-ins with your doctor. Fortunately, there is a whole team of medical providers who can help you manage the disease.

If you have diabetes, it may sometimes seem like your whole life is all about managing your numbers, tracking what you eat, and staying on top of your overall health. It can feel overwhelming. “There are things you can do to make daily diabetes maintenance easier”, says Marlisa Brown, RDN, spokesperson for the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.

For information on managing your diabetes and additional resources, visit here.

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Useful links:

  1. Living Well With Diabetes: Resources & Support | Aetna
  2. Diabetes Member Flyer (illinois.gov)
  3. Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes - Connect Community - BCBSIL
  4. A Closer Look at the Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes - Connect Community - BCBSIL
  5. Diabetes Management - Hally Health
  6. Diabetes_Checkbook (healthalliance.org)
  7. Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types (clevelandclinic.org)