5 Lifestyle Changes For People With Diabetes

Living with and managing diabetes is different for everyone — but there are a few things that all people with diabetes can do to make life a bit easier. If you're curious about what lifestyle changes can help diabetes, wonder no more. We've compiled a list of 5 of the most useful lifestyle choices you can make to get your diabetes under control.

Five Lifestyle Changes For People With Diabetes

1. Stick to a well-balanced diet: Wondering which lifestyle change can benefit a person with diabetes the most? We'd argue that it's this one: making healthy diet choices. Diabetics need to take special care with their diet, not because any foods are particularly bad, but because different foods can affect blood sugar levels in different ways. A diet high in salts, fats, and sugars makes it much harder to control your condition. And that's not even getting started on the other ill effects that such a diet can have. It's important for all of us — not just diabetics! — Stick to meals and snacks that include whole grains, veggies, fruits, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and limited refined or processed foods.
2. Get plenty of movement throughout the day: What are the lifestyle changes for diabetes that everyone can benefit from? Well, one important change is to be more active. For diabetics, exercise is a great way to control blood sugar levels, manage weight, and help prevent dangerous health conditions such as heart disease. We recommend aiming for about half an hour of moderate or intense physical activity daily, five days a week. Whether walking, running, biking, swimming, playing a sport or going to the gym, the choice is yours! In addition to dedicated periods of exercise, you should also find small ways to stay active throughout the day. This can include parking farther away from your destination, taking the stairs, stretching during work, and moving while you do a hobby (i.e., cooking, watching TV, reading, etc.) and walking to the mailbox.
3. Check your blood sugar levels: Neglecting your blood sugar levels is guaranteed to worsen your diabetes, so regular blood sugar checks are imperative. If you haven't invested in an easy-to-use glucometer, now's the time. Be sure to check and record your glucose levels regularly. Look out for any trends that may occur, and always seek medical attention if your levels become dangerously low or high.
4. Make time for stress relief: While high stress levels don't cause diabetes, they can worsen it. When stressed, you're more likely to make poor dietary choices, skip exercise, experience increased blood sugar levels, forget to take your medications, and generally have a more negative outlook on life. Everyone handles stress differently, so finding ways to keep it in check is important. Consider spending time on a hobby you enjoy, practicing meditation, stretching, doing yoga, or engaging in other activities that help you relax and manage stress effectively.
5. Say goodbye to smoking and alcohol: Cigarettes and excess alcohol consumption can be dangerous, especially if you have diabetes or diabetic neuropathy. Two of the best things you can do for diabetes (and for your health in general) are to give up smoking and limit your alcohol intake. Doing these can help limit nerve damage, make it easier to control your blood sugar, and reduce your risk of developing other health problems.

Live A More Comfortable Life With Viasox socks

Of course, there are plenty of ways to manage your diabetes, including various pain management options.

Because diabetes often leads to foot problems, one of the most important things you can do to protect your feet and legs is to invest in a pair of dedicated diabetic socks.

When you shop online at Viasox, you'll find a huge collection of Easystretch™ diabetic socks. Our diabetic socks are super-stretchy, wonderfully comfortable, offer a range of benefits, and are available in a wide selection of patterns, colors, and sizes. Visit us online today to find your perfect pair!