Remember how humans are social animals? You need to assemble a team of people that help you de-stress and relax in social circles. You also need to develop a diabetes support team that includes health professionals and others to enjoy the best possible experience if you develop diabetes.
Make a list of people who provide you with emotional and spiritual joy. If you find your list a bit short in that area, think of places you like to frequent which you find calming. If cafes or book stores relax you, add your favorite ones to your list. Prefer sitting on a park bench? Write down your favorite parks.
Then add to that list any doctors, other caregivers, personal trainers, nutritionists, and fitness experts you deal with. Include these people’s names and contact information, and don’t forget to list your parents and children.
In addition to the medical team, consider hiring or consulting with a health or nutrition coach. These professionals fill the gap between nutritionists and trainers. They’ll help you develop a plan you can live with to get you stepping towards better health choices. Many also offer regular consults/check-ins to give you the accountability and encouragement to make some of those scary changes. Check for certifications and references before hiring or working with anyone regarding your health.
A personal trainer could be another good team member to keep handy. Personal trainers will help evaluate your fitness level right now and then design a plan to improve it, including things like everyday mobility. You don’t need to get buff or enter a weight lifting competition – unless you want to.
Include a virtual list that you store on your smartphone, tablet, and computer. When you have a physical list written down that you can refer to, there is a greater chance that you will reach out to your diabetes support team for help when you need it. Write down a physical list of these individuals, print it out, and laminate it. Keep it with you wherever you go.
In addition to this list, assemble a diabetes emergency kit. A portable meter and extra test strips should be in it. Toss in some hard candies in case of low blood sugar spells. If you’re on medication for your diabetes, a couple of days’ worth could be kept in the kit. Add in some hard candies in case of low blood sugar. Finally, make sure your list of contacts and medical team are in there as well.
Don’t be afraid to contact your team of people if you have questions. They are all rooting for you! They are there for you when you need a shoulder to cry on, or you are excited about sharing some great piece of news because your health starts improving dramatically when you follow the health-boosting advice in this report.