Accept You Have Diabetes
00:10
Accepting that you have diabetes is often the most difficult hurdle to overcome. The more you fight
00:15
it, the more everything feels like a struggle. The more you embrace it, the easier it is to live your
00:22
life. I know, easy to say -- hard to do. But the most important part is a shift in perspective.
00:29
In frustration, you might think of Type 1 diabetes as a monster inside of you that you have to slay.
00:36
Instead, try to think of it as something to be managed with skills that are learned, practiced,
00:42
and eventually mastered. Living a healthy and full life with diabetes is achievable.
00:50
Mindfulness is a great tool that can help get you started on the path to acceptance. Lots of
00:55
healthcare professionals recommend mindfulness – and not just for diabetes patients. The goal is to
01:02
be more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and body through a judgment-free lens. Mindfulness can keep
01:09
you from dwelling on negative feelings, which leaves more energy to focus on how to improve.
01:15
You can try mindfulness out with guided meditations on YouTube,
01:19
or apps like Calm and Headspace. It'll probably be tough at first! Nowadays,
01:21
it's so easy to put on music or Netflix in the background, so just sitting with
01:21
your thoughts can be challenging. But I promise, it's worth it. Even a little
01:22
mindfulness practice can be very powerful in starting to accept your diabetes.
01:28
Check Your Blood Sugar
01:30
Having Type 1 diabetes means that your body no longer regulates your blood sugar level.
01:36
It's on you to actively check your blood glucose and respond to it.
01:43
No matter how long you’ve had diabetes, here's our biggest piece of advice: try not to worry
01:49
about getting perfect blood sugar numbers. In fact, the number you see when you check can
01:54
never be "perfect," because it isn't inherently good, bad, or a measure of your self-worth!
02:00
Checking blood glucose levels can help you learn how many things affect your blood sugar,
02:02
and get data to decide what you can or should do next. In some ways, managing diabetes is
02:07
like getting haircuts or picking clothes. You need to know your body well so you make choices
02:13
that help you feel good in it -- whether that's bright pink hair or chunky sneakers.
02:19
And just like we've all had regrettable fashion choices, no-one gets diabetes “right’ all of the
02:24
time. Checking blood sugar is a learning process, and every skill takes time to acquire.
02:28
Make checking blood glucose levels a habit. By doing it regularly before meals and at key
02:33
times it will become second nature. You’ll then always have up-to-date information about your body
02:39
and be more in control. Specifically, you'll start to notice how different factors
02:44
affect blood sugar levels, like eating a ham sandwich compared to eating a hot fudge sundae.
02:50
Take Your Insulin
02:52
The most important part of managing Type 1 diabetes is making sure you’re taking your
02:57
insulin consistently. This is the only way your body can lower blood sugar since your pancreas
03:04
isn’t making it! As taking insulin becomes a habit, you won’t think twice about doing it.
03:11
As with checking blood sugar, it’s totally normal to worry about your numbers.
03:15
If you feel nervous about going too low, take a smaller dose of insulin.
03:20
You can always correct later. Don’t forget the golden rule: safety first.
03:22
Diabetes may initially feel like a huge weight,
03:25
but it's only a small part of you and can be managed.
03:29
One day at a time, you’ll understand your body better. And before you know it, you’ll be a pro!
03:35
Accepting that you have diabetes, checking your blood sugar,
03:39
and getting skilled with taking insulin will build the foundation for a full and healthy life,
03:45
if this seems like a lot, but feel free to pick two to start with, as long as one is taking your insulin.
