Being diagnosed with diabetes is a worrying time for anybody. You may be concerned about the potential of causing further damage to your body or having to miss out on some of your favourite indulgences.
The good news is that diabetes can be managed with the right lifestyle habits and choices. A diagnosis of diabetes does not have to be as worrying as it sounds, with various steps that you can take to manage your condition better and live a healthy and satisfying life. Here are several things that you can do after a diagnosis of diabetes to stay in control.
Accept the Diagnosis
Diabetes is misunderstood and many people who are diagnosed with this condition will blame themselves for the diagnosis. But the truth is that while lifestyle and diet can contribute to a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can be hereditary and genetics can play a huge part. There are no benefits of blaming yourself or wondering where you went wrong to get to this point. Accepting your diagnosis is the first step to recovering or at least managing the condition as effectively as possible. Take the time to get a better understanding of the type of diabetes that you have, the treatment your doctor has prescribed, and your blood sugar levels. In order to manage your condition as well as possible, it’s best to make sure that you are an active participant.
Consider Life Insurance
While life insurance is often more expensive for those with an underlying health condition such as diabetes, it might be worth considering a life insurance policy for some extra peace of mind. Life insurance is designed to protect your family financially in the event of your death, and signing up for a specialised diabetes life insurance policy will reassure you that if you were to pass away, your family will be able to claim as beneficiaries.
Since getting life insurance with diabetes is not always easy, consider going to specialist providers in order to get the most affordable rates and increase your chance of being accepted. It is also worth waiting a while after your diagnosis to apply as proof that you have been managing your condition well for some time can help reduce your policy premium. Check out im-insured.co.uk to find a suitable policy. I’m Insured is a life insurance comparison website designed to help people with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes find the right life insurance policy for them.
Set New Health Goals
After a diagnosis of diabetes is an important time to think about setting some new health-related goals. Being diagnosed as diabetic means that you will have to pay more attention than usual to all aspects of your health and lifestyle including your exercise levels, diet, and stress management. Your doctor will be able to work with you to come up with a plan to help you achieve your new health goals and point you in the right direction of the best goals to make for your health. Those with diabetes do not always have to set drastic health goals in order to be able to manage their condition better – your goal might be to get more fibre in your diet, for example, or lose a few additional pounds. Smaller goals can be easier to work towards, and bear in mind that any goal that will reduce your symptoms is always a win, no matter how small.
Prioritise Condition Management
Most commonly, diabetes is characterised by a resistance to the insulin that your body naturally produces, or a lower level of insulin production in comparison to what your body needs. These factors can often put you at a higher risk of more serious health complications and conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and more. The good news is that managing your condition well allows it to be controlled and reduce your risk of these more serious issues. Make managing your disease a top priority in your life whether that involves improving your lifestyle by going to the gym more option, eating a bigger portion of vegetables with every meal, or trying out new ways to manage stress. Ignoring the symptoms may not pose an immediate danger to your health, but over time, this can become very risky.
Commit to Exercising More
Once you have had a diagnosis of diabetes, working out is more important than ever. Exercising for at least thirty minutes each day can help you to naturally lower your blood glucose levels and makes it easier for your body to process insulin. The best way to get into a habit of exercising more often is to find an activity that you really enjoy. Something as simple as going for a brisk walk in the park for half an hour per day can make it easier for you to manage your diabetes symptoms and improve your health. And, exercising on a regular basis has many more benefits for you aside from managing the symptoms of diabetes. It can help to control your weight, provide you with more energy, reduce your stress levels, improve your focus and more.
Rethink Your Diet
Many people mistakenly think that diabetes severity is directly related to the amount of sugar in their diet, but this is not strictly true. In fact, your insulin levels are not regulated by your sugar intake alone, but rather by anything that you eat that could have an effect on your insulin production, including carbohydrates. Even if you’re cutting out all sugary foods like chocolate and cakes from your diet, a diet that is high in carbs can pose a problem. The best type of diet for managing diabetes well will include lots of fresh vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and foods that are rich in vitamins. It’s best to try and reduce carbohydrates, particularly the starchy kind found in bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. Be mindful of the foods that you eat and get into the habit of checking the ingredients and nutrition list for each food and drink that you consume.
Develop a Self-Monitoring Habit
When it comes to the successful management of any health condition, accountability goes a long way. And when it comes to the management of diabetes, there are several resources available designed to help you actively monitor your vitals, such as glucometers. After being diagnosed with diabetes, one of the best things to do is get into a regular habit of self-monitoring. Testing before and after eating, exercising, and various other scenarios allow you to determine how your blood glucose levels vary in their response to certain situations or triggers, which can make it easier for you to make the best future decisions in regards to your condition in the future. This can also impact your goal-settings, allowing you to set a goal of ideal readings rather than simply focusing on losing weight or exercising more without a clear picture of the effect it is having on your condition.
While being diagnosed with diabetes can be a scary and worrying situation, the good news is that this condition can be managed with the right mindset and steps taken. By understanding your condition and what to do to keep it under control, living with diabetes does not have to be difficult.
