5 Ways to Improve Your Life With Diabetes

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There are millions of individuals out there who are diagnosed with diabetes and go on to live a semi-normal life. Unlike other diseases, diabetes doesn’t have to be such a debilitating prognosis. As a matter of fact, there are ways to improve your life with diabetes and keep it under control. This way, you can carry on your day-to-day almost as though nothing is wrong (almost). 

If you’re currently living with diabetes, here are 5 ways you can easily improve your life.

Exercise on a regular basis

A regular exercise routine is recommended for everyone—not just those with illnesses. However, if you have an illness such as diabetes then exercise can improve your life and help you feel better. A proper exercise regime stabilizes blood sugar levels, alleviates stress, and boosts overall happiness. Some individuals living with diabetes tend to slow down, naturally, as a result. So, if you’re one of them then it’s important to start your exercise routine slowly and then gradually build up as time goes on. Begin with two to three days of 20 minutes of light exercises, such as walking. Then, make your way to four to six days of varied rigorous or medium exercises like running or weights.

If you’re having a difficult time starting, here are a few easy swaps:

– Take the stairs instead of the escalator

– If it’s under a mile away, walk instead of drive

– Add 1lb weights to your walk

– Get outside instead of watching TV

Get a pair of compression socks

Individuals with diabetes often complain of circulation concerns, especially around the feet. This is a result of certain diabetic neuropathy that comes with issues such as numbness, sharp pains, weakness, swelling, and tingling all in the lower legs and feet because of blood vessel damage. With compression socks, circulation begins to improve and can be a key component of your daily wear as the swelling begins to go down. 

There are a few different types of compression socks:

  • prescription-strength (which directly correlates with how much compression is in the socks)
  • Over-the-counter
  • American Pediatric Medical Association socks

Prepare meals that are healthy and well-balanced

There are certain foods that medical professionals recommend those living with diabetes incorporate into their daily (or semi-regular) food routine that may improve their lives. Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, carrot, cucumber, salad greens, squash, and tomato. Other foods like beans, berries, citrus fruits, lean meat, non-fat dairy, nuts, poultry, fish, and sweet potatoes. Whole grain foods show a significant improvement in quality of life versus processed ones such as brown rice, cracked wheat, millet, popcorn, quinoa, sorghum, whole oats, and whole wheat. Foods with a lower glycemic index won’t have as big of an impact on blood sugar levels and can make you feel better throughout the day.

Stop or reduce smoking and drinking

Those who smoke and drink on a regular basis tend to have less control over their lives and as a result their bodies. These two, especially smoking, can lead to some serious health problems like heart and kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, poor circulation, and nerve damage. With alcohol specifically, the liver focuses more on removing the substance from your blood than doing what it needs to be doing if you have diabetes, and that’s regulating the blood sugar levels. When your liver focuses more on alcohol and less on your health, it creates a dizziness effect that results in tiredness. Because these symptoms are similar to diabetes symptoms of low blood sugar they can be mistaken. So, while cutting back on alcohol is good ridding it completely will give you a better sense of your body and what you are actually experiencing. 

Do things that will reduce stress

Exercise, a healthy diet, and cutting back on smoking and drinking will naturally reduce stress. Why is this important specifically for those living with diabetes? Because stress has a direct correlation with blood sugar and can create a higher tolerance to insulin (a rise in glucose). 

But there are other ways to easily manage and reduce stress:

  • keep a journal of what you ate, to determine if your body is reacting to a particular food or stressor
  • Meditate for five to 30 minutes a day
  • Enjoy nature, or a natural environment, at least once a day
  • Regulate your sleep to ensure you get enough rest
  • Do one thing a day that you genuinely enjoy
  • Listen to relaxing music

All of these suggestions can decrease your stress levels both instantaneously and over time to help improve your life with diabetes.

Anyone who lives with diabetes will tell you that it isn’t an ideal situation but it is manageable. These five suggestions will help improve your life with diabetes so that you can lead a happier, healthier, and less stressful lifestyle that will benefit both you and those around you.