Wellness and Diabetes Management
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As I head into the summer months, it’s the time of year where I naturally become more active, travel more, stay out in hotter weather, and am overall on the go! So, it’s important to me to be aware of my overall wellness. Physical, mental and emotional wellness is important to me and my overall diabetes management because when all of those are in-check, that’s when I feel my best. When one of those elements are off, it can greatly affect my glucose levels. I’ve had some people ask me, “What makes your glucose high and low?” And my answer to them every time is, “Everything!!” Certain workouts, weather, hormones, food, stress, sleep, altitude, it can go on and on... e-ver-y-thingggg! Most people don’t think that all those factors can affect glucose levels, but it can! When I’m stressed glucose levels can randomly skyrocket, or when I’m hiking in the summer heat my glucose levels can unknowingly dip.
I’m honestly so thankful for my FreeStyle Libre 2 system, which makes it easy1* for me to check my glucose levels as often as I want† when I know I’m feeling off. Plus, the optional alarms^ also help me by letting me know when I’m spiking or dropping even if I don’t even realize it! With so many factors affecting my glucose levels all the time, it can take a toll on my mental health. It’s overwhelming for me sometimes to constantly be thinking about diabetes non-stop - correcting or stressing out about stubborn high glucose levels.
Here are some tips and tricks that has personally helped me and my mental health to keep my glucose levels in check:
Check glucose levels often
Rest assured you’ll know when you’re high or low with the #FreeStyleLibre 2 glucose alarms^
Hydrate!
Low impact movement when my glucose levels are high. Nothing better than going on a walk for fresh air and sunshine!
Eating healthy, whole foods
Venting to another #diabuddy about your stresses. Of all people, another diabetes buddy understands it all too!
Give your body and mind a rest. Taking time to do something that makes you happy and feel good does wonder for your mind, body, and levels. Bubble baths and binge-watching Netflix does wonder!
Take this as a moment to check-in with yourself and your overall wellness too!
References:
*Data from this study was collected with the outside US version of the FreeStyle Libre 14 day system. FreeStyle Libre 2 has the same features as FreeStyle Libre 14 day system with optional real-time glucose alarms. Therefore the study data is applicable to both products.
†Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading.
^Notifications will only be received when alarms are turned on and the sensor is within 20 feet of the reading device.
1. Haak, T. Diabetes Therapy (2017): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6.
Visit https://www.freestylelibre.us/safety-information.html for safety information.