Daily Routine For Managing Diabetes Well
Coping with a chronic condition such as diabetes can seem like a constant uphill battle. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to a series of concerning health issues such as kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease, and stroke to mention only a few crippling health concerns. You must be able to form a daily routine to easily manage diabetes and improve your quality of life to prevent additional health problems.
Keeping a first aid kit, complete with disposable medical supplies and durable medical devices such as blood sugar monitors is essential for managing a chronic condition like diabetes. You should maintain the stock of medical supplies to ensure that you are always well prepared. Here are a few important tips that can help you manage your diabetes daily with ease. (1)
A healthy diet
Many people find it difficult to adjust to a new diet. However, following a healthy diet is crucial for individuals who have diabetes to ensure that sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar levels during the day do not occur. If you are coping with this chronic condition, you must start your day with a healthy, filling breakfast to avoid eating too much later on. You should also opt for foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods, high protein lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. Essentially, the diet that an individual with diabetes should follow is not all that different from a healthy balanced diet everyone should follow.
You can also keep a diet journal and track the foods that you eat. Monitoring your blood sugar levels before and after meals and tracking this information in your journal can also help avoid blood sugar drops and spikes in the future. This will also help you to recognize how your body is reacting to certain foods.
Exercise is important
Routine exercise is great for everyone and it is a vital element of a healthy lifestyle. A quick 5-minute run, or jog in the morning, or even going for a walk is a great way to improve blood circulation and stay fit and healthy. Even simple routine exercises can greatly improve your quality of life. Swimming, cycling, and basic aerobics are also great options. Even though it may be difficult at first to incorporate routine exercise into your daily schedule, it will prove beneficial to your health, especially if you are battling to cope with diabetes. You could also opt for assistance from a professional personal trainer to best establish a suitable workout plan for you and it is also a great idea to make use of a blood sugar monitor before and after you exercise as a health precaution.
Follow medical advice and take your medication
Medical advice and the type of medication may vary according to what type of diabetes you have and your health requirements and you must follow your medical plan strictly and daily. Make use of items such as a pill box and place it in the kitchen or bathroom to avoid potentially forgetting to take your medicine. You could also set a reminder on your cell phone to help remind you when you need to take your insulin or other medications. (2)
Monitor your blood sugar levels at routine times
If you have diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar levels is extremely important. This should be done throughout the day and at routine times such as in the mornings as soon as you wake up, in the afternoons, and the evenings before bed. Additionally, opting to check your blood sugar before and after meals as well as before and after exercises will also be beneficial to tracking your general health while living with diabetes.
Tips on blood sugar monitors
There are different types of blood sugar monitoring devices and glucose tests to choose from. While finger prick test strips are quite commonly opted to monitor blood glucose levels, there are other options available that do not require blood. While there are a variety of different types of blood sugar monitors available, you should consider costs, ease of use, and durability when considering which type of monitor to use. It is also recommended to keep track of the information in your journal each time you check your blood glucose levels. This will ensure that you are fully aware of your health and help you to better understand how to manage diabetes daily. (3)
