Six Self-Care Tips for Diabetics

As social media becomes more popular, awareness around the importance of self-care has increased. Slowly we are seeing a change in the “tough it out” mentality and a shift towards focusing on taking care of ourselves both mentally and physically.  From treating yourself to that new watch or trying the latest face mask, the possibilities are endless when thinking of ways to practice self-care.  For diabetics, this need for self-care should be emphasized even more so. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.”  With the chances of depression being higher with those with depression, it is important to emphasize the need for self-reflection, mental wellness, and physical well-being.  Below are six self-care tips for diabetics that can be implemented to allow for better physical and mental well-being.

1. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

Everyone could benefit from working out. Only 23.2% of adults aged 18 or over, meet the physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. For diabetics, this becomes even more important as regular exercise can help manage glucose levels, while also lowering the risk of heart disease and decreasing blood pressure. Exercise has also been linked to easing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When the realities of diabetes become overwhelming, exercise is the perfect way to release some stress and experience the mood-boosting effects of endorphins.

2. Journaling

Not only does journaling allow people to keep their thoughts organized but it helps individuals improve their writing. It can also boost creativity and offer a chance at reflection and an opportunity for goal-setting. For diabetics, it’s a great way to process emotions and reflect on good days versus bad days. In doing so, it can help diabetics observe trends and document things that work and don’t work when it comes to managing their diabetes. Being diagnosed as a diabetic can be scary, but journaling allows diabetics to take control by allowing them to set goals that they are determined to achieve. Whether it is lowering their A1C level or getting pregnant, writing it down gives diabetics their sense of agency back.

3. Make a home-cooked meal

There is something very comforting about making a home-cooked meal. The smell of the meal filling up the room, the warmth from the oven heating up the kitchen, and the accomplishment of knowing you did something all on your own! For diabetics, home-cooked meals do all this and more. Not only is it the perfect self-care but by cooking at home, diabetics have more control over what goes in their food and portion sizes. By doing this, it helps people with diabetes control their glucose levels while also feeling a sense of accomplishment. Having diabetes can sometimes leave people feeling helpless as they are forced to rely on medication and doctors to deal with their diabetes. By cooking on their own, it is one way to help diabetics have control over their diabetes and be proud of their accomplishments.

4. Take some time to show your skin some love

Whether it’s going to a spa, dermatologist, doctor, or following D.I.Y recipes online, your skin needs some love too. Diabetics can experience a vast amount of skin conditions including fungal infections, dry skin, and bacterial infections. By addressing these conditions and finding ways to treat them, it will not only alleviate pain or ease embarrassment felt by having these conditions, but boost self-confidence. When people look their best, they feel their best. Everybody deals with a skin condition at some point of their life; the important thing is to address these conditions as soon as they happen.

5. Hydrate

According to a study done by Quench USA Inc., almost 80% of working Americans do not drink enough water. Water not only helps us stay hydrated, but it also keeps our joints lubricated, delivers oxygen throughout the body, flushes bodily waste, and so much more! For diabetics, water is incredibly important not only for these reasons but it also assists in regulating sugar levels. By drinking plenty of water, it helps flush out excess sugar from the body. It may seem like a small step in regulating blood sugar but it is an important one!

6. Take care of your legs

7. Avoid social media/the internet for a day

While social media has led to some positive movements such as the movement towards self-care, sometimes social media can be a little bit…overwhelming. Whether it’s comparing oneself to the latest celebrity or it is the constant stream of negative news being consumed, it can be a lot. When you pair that with a diagnosis of diabetes and all the conflicting information, it can leave diabetics feeling helpless and fearful for their life. By avoiding the internet and the sinkhole that searching about diabetes can cause, it allows the mind a chance to relax. Everybody’s diabetes experience is different and by giving oneself the chance to step back, it allows people to be proud of their own personal journey and accomplishments.

For diabetics, it can be hard to find information that is catered specifically to them. From fitness to things like self-care, these tips are usually shared with the masses but do not cater to a specific group. The DMP (Diabetes Management Platform) app is a space where diabetics can find not only amazing self-care tips, but helpful information that is catered specifically to them. From community forums to the ability to find professionals and ask them questions, it is a one-stop shop for both community support and professional advice. The DMP app is available for download on both the App store and Google Play:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1522262547

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.dmp

Self-care is important not only for physical well-being but mental well-being. By having a self-care regime that is specific to diabetics, it can help diabetics look and feel their best.  DMP believes that when people work together, they are stronger together.