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Diabetes: Staying Motivated

Table of Contents


Overview

Having diabetes can be hard to accept. It's normal to feel sad or angry. You may even feel grief.

It's normal to feel frustrated or overwhelmed with all there is to do. Some days you may feel like it's just too much work. There will be times when you just don't feel like testing and tracking your blood sugar.

There are ways to handle these tough feelings, though. Getting support and talking about your feelings can help. Your doctor or others in your health care team can help you cope.

When you feel sad, give yourself time to adjust to your losses. If you feel overwhelmed, just try to focus on one day at a time. Do the best you can. You don't have to be perfect.

Remember that diabetes is a part of your life, but it does not have to take over your life. Also, remember that you are not alone. Diabetes is very common.

Get the support you need

Surround yourself with people who encourage and motivate you. Your support may include:

If you're having trouble coping with your feelings, try talking with a counselor. A professional may make it easier to say things you wouldn't talk about with friends or family.

Your checkups are a good time to talk with your doctor about how you're feeling. If you're discouraged or having trouble coping, your doctor can help.

You might also want to:

Provide positive reinforcement and set goals

Praise and reward yourself for the things you do right. Use nonfood rewards, such as clothing, sports equipment, books, a golf trip, or a movie night. Engage in positive self-talk instead of being negative or critical of yourself.

Set short-term goals for healthy eating habits and exercise.

List the benefits

Continually remind yourself that everything you are doing to manage your diabetes is making a big difference in the quality of your life now and well into the future. It may even be helpful to make a list of the health benefits of caring for your diabetes.

Some items you could include might be:


Credits for Diabetes: Staying Motivated

Current as of: October 2, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.