Diabetes Direction

As we move into the spring and summer months, you may find yourself with more stress, mentally, emotionally and physically. For those of us that have kids, summer break means no school. What do you do with your kids while you have to work? Hiring someone costs money, which adds more stress. Vacations are also stressful as we want to pack in as much fun as we can. It is stressful financially, mentally and emotionally to plan a vacation that will provide fun for all ages involved. And then there are all the problems with allergies and pollen making people feel bad physically.

All of this can cause additional health problems, including increasing blood sugar levels. We can’t stop it from happening, but we CAN help our bodies handle it better. What can you do? You can…

* Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. Nothing beats all the freshness of the coming months! If you don’t have a garden of your own, check out farmers markets in your area. I encourage everyone to try new foods, but be careful not to eat too much of it until you know how your blood sugar will react. I recommend eating a small amount and then checking your blood 1, 2 and 4 hours after eating it. This is important for every time you add a new food to your diet. We all have our own special variety of Diabetes, and we need to know what works for ourselves.

* If you have a yard and the physical ability to plant a garden, you can save money, work some muscles and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Research different vegetables and fruits and plant plenty of healthy options. Salads are a wonderful way to get a variety of greens and are nice on a hot day. You could also earn a little spending money by selling any extra you have, or try canning or freezing it for next winter. If you don’t have room for a garden, how about some flowers?

* Take a walk. If you can, find a quiet and natural place to walk. It can be a power walk or a leisurely stroll. Enjoy nature, breathe deeply and let the stress drain away. Try laying in the grass with your kids, watching the clouds go by. How long has it been since doing something like that?!

* A bath always feels nice. Let the water wash away those heavy and negative emotions. It doesn’t have to have bubbles to feel good. It doesn’t even have to be hot. I love taking cool showers and baths! It always makes me feel like I’m at the swimming pool.

* Read a book. It seems that not many people read books anymore, which I find very sad. I love to lose myself in a good story. Pick a genre or author that interests you or try something new.

* Listen to music. Music is food for the soul. It lifts our spirits and can put some motion into us. Even “dancing” in your chair while working is better for us than not moving.

* Take a time out. Sometimes we just aren’t going to be able to take a leisurely stroll or plant a garden. Sometimes the stress comes while we are sitting in traffic or waiting on someone. In these times, just take a few deep breathes, in through your nose and out through your mouth. It really can help!

* See your doctor. It is likely that your doctor can recommend some activities that will be most beneficial for you. It is always smart to check with your doctor before starting a new diet or exercise plan.

If you have a favorite activity that helps you relax, I invite you to share it in a comment! You might be able to help someone with new ideas! Summer can be a time for getting into better health, enjoying the fresh outdoors, and most importantly it can give us fun memories of time spent with those we love.

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