Did you finally get the bad news?
It’s time to prepare yourself. Diabetes is a life-changer that requires changes so you can keep living a good life. You aren’t alone in your struggle. The CDC says that more than 100 million Americans now have diabetes. This increase has led to a lot of research on how to manage the disease.
If you are looking at how you can put in place lifestyle changes for diabetes, then you’ve come to the right place. Read the five tips below to start taking control of your health.
1. Diet Changes
You can’t eat anything you want anymore. When you develop diabetes, you have to change your diet to foods that manage the disease.
The less processed the food is, the better. Try to learn how to cook so you can start eating real food all the time.
2. Exercise
Your goal should be to get moving several times per week.
You don’t need to head to the gym to get a good workout in. You can take a walk through your neighborhood, get yard work done, and head out into nature. It also helps to wear clothing when you are out that reduces sweat and promotes circulation.
Consider getting diabetic socks that keep your feet dry and your blood pumping.
3. Keep Stress Under Control
Too much stress can hurt your body even when you are healthy. That makes it even more important to keep stress under control when you are diagnosed. When you’re stressed, your blood sugar level gets higher, and you become even less resistant to insulin. The fight or flight response that is there to help you make quick decisions gets activated too.
Your flight or flight response is useful when you use it for situations that demand it. But it can hurt your body if you are regularly in that state.
4. Stay Away From Cigarettes
Research has proven the health problems caused by smoking. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, this risk goes up. Smokers with diabetes are more likely to have high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and have higher blood sugar.
As your doctor for advice on how to kick the habit.
5. Get Regular Checkups
Now that you have diabetes, it’s more important than ever that you know what is happening with your body. Make sure you check in regularly with your doctor. They will run tests to make sure your body is working correctly.
Not only can they detect if your nutrition is off, but they will also be able to test for markers that signal other diseases that happen because of diabetes.
Make These Lifestyle Changes for Diabetes Today
Diabetes changes everything. If you don’t adapt, you won’t be able to live your life to the fullest. The lifestyle changes for diabetes we discussed today will help you start that change. Are you interested in more self-improvement tips for after you get your life under control? Read our self-improvement blog for more ideas that will help your life.
