When youre living with diabetes, self-care takes on a whole new meaning.
Not to mention, youll hopefully experience more peace, joy, and ease in your day-to-day life.
Here are seven ways to get started.
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Get back in touch with your why.
Getting in touch with your values can be a powerful way to reinvigorate motivation, she says.
She recommends asking yourself: What do I gain from taking good care of my diabetes?
(Perhaps, as ajournaling prompt.)
What does feeling energized and being in a good mood allow you to do?
Let whatever it is you desire to experience more of in life guide you when youre feeling disengaged.
Incorporate enjoyable, bite-size movement breaks into your day.
Lean on your favorite stress busters.
It might be something you traditionally associate with stress reduction, like meditation, yoga, or soothingbreathwork exercises.
Maybe itsspending time in natureor cuddling up with your pet.
It could also be something creative, like playing music or painting.
Or maybe its a hobby like reading or playing a sport.
And, just so yourstress-busting habitdoesnt feel, well, stressful, Dr. Leung advises starting small.
Prioritize sleep, even when it feels hard.
As with exercise, quality sleep is even more foundational to your well-being when youre living with diabetes.
Ask for the help you need from the people you love.
Self-care can sometimes involve the people closest to you too.
Again, you dont have to do this alone.
Diabetes can be isolating and overwhelmingand finding connection with people like you is the antidote.
It can help you feel less alone, Licalzi says.
You also get to learn about what works for other people and be inspired by their progress.
TheAmerican Association of Diabetes Educatorsalso has a great handout of ways to tap into the online diabetes community.
7. give a shot to give yourself a break.
Remember you are human, Dr. Leung says.
Perfection is not realistic.
Or Im doing the best I can.
