Can Mindfulness Help Manage Diabetes?
As a diabetes educator and a person managing my own diabetes for many decades, I know intimately that diabetes is not just challenging once in a while – it’s challenging every day. But I have some good news. Diabetes educators use a framework of “7 self-care behaviors” to guide people in managing diabetes. These seven behaviors are:
- Healthy eating.
- Being active.
- Taking medications (as prescribed).
- Monitoring blood sugar.
- Problem solving.
- Reducing risk.
- Healthy coping.
This list of “to do’s” is based on research that has shown that engaging in these specific healthy lifestyle behaviors will improve glycemic (blood sugar) management. Improved glycemic management reduces the risk for serious or life-threatening complications related to diabetes. That’s what each of us has (or should have) as a goal to live life in spite of diabetes and avoid complications.
Excerpted from U.S. News
