Let’s be real, to say living with diabetes is a challenge would be an understatement. I have been living with diabetes for 19 years and have had a few cases of diabetes burnout. Here are my suggestions for taking care of your mental health while living with diabetes:

Do you get excited when your blood sugar in range? Are you upset when you’re out of range? I have learned there is no such thing as perfectly managing your diabetes. I recommend when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the neediness of diabetes, to take a moment and realize how far you’ve come. For example, I have been running high more often lately, but instead of being disappointed about it, I focus on the fact that I had my lowest A1C ever at my last doctor appointment. Which means I have come a long way! It’s important to use your energy to focus on the good. This will help keep your mind in a positive place.

Diabetes is so time-consuming. You’re constantly thinking… Did I take insulin for that? Do I have enough supplies? If you’re anything like me, the questions you ask yourself are endless. To avoid feeling like my diabetes is a chore, I do two things: (1) I have chosen one day a month to make sure I have everything I’ll need for the rest of the month and (2) I pick one day a week to do something that allows my mind to be free from it all, which for me is meditating. I realize diabetes doesn’t take any vacations, but that doesn’t mean your mind shouldn’t!

Even I still need support on my bad days. Don’t be afraid to share your diabetes and its struggles with your friends and family. You’d be surprised at how much they will want to be there for you. I used to think, because none of my friends have diabetes, they wouldn’t understand my struggles. Which wasn’t true at all. Yes, they may not be able to exactly relate, but they’re great at getting my mind off things in the moment. There is also a huge diabetes community online, which I’d highly recommend going to for extra support (check out @myabetic). It’s always good to know there are others out there just like you!

Oftentimes the emotional side of diabetes is harder to manage than the physical side. We are blessed to have amazing technology to help us live great lives, but that pesky brain of ours can get in the way of our positivity at times. If you have any additional questions about my process of living positively with diabetes, comment below, and I’m happy to reply!