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“Check your blood sugar. Don’t eat that cookie! OK, you can have that half banana, but be sure to take a walk this afternoon. Oh, no. I forgot to pick up some emergency Skittles for my purse! OMG, it can’t be over 200! How did it … ?
“I hate this. I hate this. I hate this!”
Is it any wonder that people who have Type 1 diabetes (T1D) sometimes burn out? You can never forget the fact that your body doesn’t make its own insulin or that you have to compensate for it. There’s no choice.
Or, rather, there is a choice, but you’re not ready to die just yet.
Living with T1D is like juggling glass balls while balancing on a tightrope. You have the keep the insulin, food, and exercise balls in the air all the time. If you drop a ball or lose your balance, there are consequences. Sometimes serious consequences.
You’d think that alone would be enough motivation to take care of yourself. But you’re only human. There are a lot of other things going on in your life that have nothing to do with diabetes, and they require your attention, too. Sometimes you let things slide because you’re just plain tired of it all.
So, how do you stay motivated to do all the things you need to do to stay healthy and live well with type 1 diabetes? Try to keep the following in mind:
“I hate this. I hate this. I hate this!”
Is it any wonder that people who have Type 1 diabetes (T1D) sometimes burn out? You can never forget the fact that your body doesn’t make its own insulin or that you have to compensate for it. There’s no choice.
Or, rather, there is a choice, but you’re not ready to die just yet.
Living with T1D is like juggling glass balls while balancing on a tightrope. You have the keep the insulin, food, and exercise balls in the air all the time. If you drop a ball or lose your balance, there are consequences. Sometimes serious consequences.
You’d think that alone would be enough motivation to take care of yourself. But you’re only human. There are a lot of other things going on in your life that have nothing to do with diabetes, and they require your attention, too. Sometimes you let things slide because you’re just plain tired of it all.
So, how do you stay motivated to do all the things you need to do to stay healthy and live well with type 1 diabetes? Try to keep the following in mind:
You’re Not Perfect
That’s all right—no one is. You’re allowed to make mistakes, slip up, and forget. All human beings do all those things at least twice a day. Remember that and relax a little.
Just Do Your Best
You know what you need to do to keep your blood sugar under control, and you know why. Your best is just fine. Give yourself a reward for a job well done.
Stop Beating Yourself Up
Instead, try some positive reinforcement. Remind yourself that you’re actually doing pretty well. Sure, you ate that cookie this morning at the office, but you took a walk during the lunch hour to balance it out. Coping with type 1 diabetes is tough. It’s a full-time job—and you’re doing it just fine.
Take A Deep Breath
Stress can make your blood glucose level spike. Learn some simple stress-reduction meditation techniques, like this one: when you inhale, do it slowly and say “sohhh” in your mind. Draw the sound out with your inhalation. When you exhale, think “hahhh” to yourself. Again, draw the sound out for as long as it takes you to exhale. Now, do this ten times, concentrating on your breath and your “soh-hahs.” By the time you reach the tenth breath, you’ll have calmed down and relaxed.
Don’t Bottle Your Emotions Up
Living each day with type 1 diabetes is hard; burn-out is easy. Talk with family and friends about your frustrations, your anger or sadness. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel those emotions. Let them out. Talk with your doctor, too. She might have some ideas about ways to help you cope.
Discover Your Community
It helps a lot to be able to talk with someone who also goes through the ups and downs of living with T1D. Check with your county health department for local T1D support groups. Or check online. There are many health-focused websites that feature online support groups and forums that bring people from all over the country and from all walks of life together for support and encouragement. The American Diabetes Association is a good place to start.
About Author:
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| Leslie Vandever |
Leslie Vandever is a professional journalist and freelance writer. Under the pen-name “Wren,” she also writes a blog about living well with rheumatoid arthritis called RheumaBlog (www.rheumablog.wordpress.com). In her spare time, Vandever enjoys cooking, reading and working on the Great American Novel.
Follow Her @ RheumaBlog | Facebook
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