10 tips to help control diabetes

Managing diabetes can be difficult, tiring, and isolating. We speak to Australians with diabetes every day and we've realised a few things that we *hope* will make it a bit easier to manage this challenging condition...

1. You are not alone! Find an in-person and online support group

Whether you have been recently diagnosed or not, managing diabetes can be an overwhelming and scary thing. The first thing to say is that you are not alone. There are literally millions of people out there going through the same pains, challenges and triumphs you are.

Support groups can be a real source of guidance and support. Providing helpful information about great recipes, tips and advice, personal stories, a shoulder to lean on, or just people to listen to your story. 

Diabetes NSW has a great list of real-life support groups in and around NSW (CLICK HERE to see the list). There are also many digital support groups on social platforms, like Facebook that you should consider. You can CLICK HERE to join our diabetes Facebook group.

2. There's more to Diabetes than blood sugar

Did you know that heart disease and stroke are serious threats to people with diabetes? Here's how you can lower your chances of something serious happening:

• If you use tobacco, quit.
• Monitor your blood pressure - your target is at, or below, 129/79.
• Talk to your doctor, and ask if a daily aspirin is right for you.
• Make the healthiest lifestyle choices you can.
• (You can also CLICK HERE to read more about heart-health and diabetes)

3. It's your life- you need to live it

Diabetes is a serious life-changing condition, but it is important that it doesn't become your whole life. To help keep things in perspective try this technique; get a pen and paper and write down:

• 5 things you love to do 
• What gets in the way of you doing the things you love?
• What could you do to overcome those challenges?
• Could you get any support to overcome these challenges?
• Many people struggle with portability, but there are options out there designed to make it easier to manage your condition on the go. Like Glucology Sharps Bins, the best personal sharps container we've seen!

4. Make time to de-stress

Stress can make it so, so, hard to take care of yourself and manage your diabetes. 

• Find out what's causing stress in your life and minimise where possible.
• What do you do to help handle your stress?
• Do you have enough healthy coping techniques?
• Fun is a great de-stressor, so make time for it!

5. Exercise is SO good for you- and doesn't have to be painful!

Exercise is good for your body and your brain. It increases your energy, helps reduce stress, makes it easier to relax and to fall asleep.

• Work towards doing 30 minutes, or more, exercise every day.
• Make it fun and not a chore- try an exercise-based activity like hiking, or exercise with a friend.
• Walking is a great way to exercise without disrupting your life. Most phones have a built-in step-counter that you can use to see how far you've walked!

6. Make healthier food choices

It's easy to start a diet and even easier to stop one. Instead of making a drastic dietary shift, like cutting out fat or carbs entirely, find healthy eating choices you can make to your favourite snacks and meals. For example: 

• Choosing low-GI foods over high-GI options. Choose brown rice instead of white rice, or wholemeal bread over white bread.
• Choose fresh fruit over dried fruit.
• Substitute fatty proteins with leaner options, like skinless chicken breasts.

7. Choose easy support options that fit into your life- like diabetic socks!

 There are many diabetic aids out there and many can replace basic everyday items that won't disturb your day-to-day living. Did you know Glucology Diabetic Copper Socks will not only:

• Wick moisture away from your skin,
• Are non-constrictive, and
• Kill 99.99% percent of fungi and bacteria that cause odour?

Glucology™ Diabetic Copper Socks are not only non-constrictive, seamless, and non-binding, but will kill 99.99% of fungi and bacteria that cause odour, reducing the first of infection. CLICK HERE to find out more.

8. Get regular checkups

Make sure you are having regular appointments with your doctor and getting tests and screenings on time. You are the best expert on you- so bring any questions directly to a health care practitioner that can advise you.

9. Be aware of your mental health

There's no shame in needing some mental-health support. Check in with yourself regularly and see how you're feeling, do any of the below seem familiar? If so it worth going to talk to your healthcare professional about getting the support you deserve.

• Feeling down, blue, hopeless, sad, or irritable
• Not enjoying activities that used to be enjoyable
• Feeling as though you're letting other people down
• Trouble concentrating
• Tired all the time, no energy
• No interest in food
• Overeating
• Trouble falling asleep
• Feeling like life isn't worth living

10. Find medicines and treatment options that work for you

There is no shortage of options for both medicine support devices and medicines and it's important that you find the right combination of options for your condition and lifestyle. Work with your primary health care providers to find solutions that fit and don't be afraid to shop around- try treatments and solutions and find the right choice for you. 

To see if DIA-BALM is right for you CLICK HERE (or on the image above) and enter your details and you'll receive FREE sachet samples of DIA-BALM: the Specialist Diabetic Foot Care Cream.

Our Services and Blog posts are NOT intended to substitute any professional medical advice or treatment and are offered for informational purposes only. Remember to always work with your doctor before changing anything about your medication or diabetes management. The above information is NOT medical advice.