With Diabetes – Stay Positive

Diabetes can bring out the best and the worst in people. We should always look for the best and stay positive in our actions and thoughts. People newly diagnosed can have shock or even wonder how this happened, but should never develop anger or a negative attitude. Doing either may cause significant problems later in the management of their diabetes.

Yes, it takes a big commitment to keep your diabetes in check. Even so, you’ll be more motivated on some days than others, or you wonder how it’s going. Time for a fresh perspective! You can counter these negative thoughts whenever they strike.

The negative - ‘I Don’t Have Time to Exercise.’ Rethink It: Take it 10 minutes at a time. Tell yourself, “I don’t have to do it all at once.”

Exercising doesn't have to take a lot of time. Even a little will give you a burst of optimism and energy. Try 10-minute spurts of activity. You won’t need to change your clothes.

For example, instead of playing solitaire on your phone when you’re in a waiting room, ask the attendant if you have time to take a 10-minute walk around the

parking lot before your appointment.

The negative - ‘What's the Point?’ This is a classic "it’s too late for me" thought. Your goal weight feels always out of reach. Maybe you’ve tried to get there before and have been disappointed.

Rethink It: Bring your thoughts back to the here and now. Mental health experts say most anxiety comes from worrying about the future. The more you focus on what you can do today, the better.

Little steps, over time, will move your health in a positive direction. Ask your doctor to help you set mini-goals along the way to your ultimate goal. You want reachable goals that you can build on. For instance, if you lose a little bit of weight at a time, it can lower your blood sugar levels and blood pressure sooner than you may think.

Start slowly. First, learn to eat more fruits, vegetables, and protein.

The negative - ‘I've Blown It!’ This is the "all is lost" attitude. You didn’t follow your meal plan when you ate a giant plate of macaroni and cheese, and now you think you’ve wrecked all your progress.

Rethink It: Give yourself credit for your good food choices. It could be that you used to overeat all the time, and now you’ve had balanced meals most days this week.

Aim for progress, not perfection. You don't have to give up your favorite foods completely. Just account for the carbs.

Set the setbacks aside. Tell yourself, “I can get back on track,” and the possibilities open back up.

3 More Ways to Shift Negative Thinking

It takes practice to turn your inner voice into your friend instead of your critic. Make it a habit with these tips:

#1. Keep a journal. Write down your thoughts. After about a week, read it to look for patterns.

#2. Write positive messages for yourself, like “I am healthy." "I am strong." "I am managing my health well.” Put them in places you'll see every day -- your wallet, bedside table, near your toothpaste.

#3. Make a point of saying something positive to yourself every time you look in the mirror. “Nice smile!” “My hair looks really good today!” “This is a great color on me!”

You would be surprised what a positive attitude can do for you. Granted, it will not prevent mistakes, but a positive attitude will help you minimize them and return to good habits.