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Harnessing The Power Of Routine

Harnessing The Power
Of Routine

Contributed by: Jessica Apple
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 You cant control everything - but you do have control of a few things. 

I’ve shared my experiences with having diabetes and how it’s affected my life. To get a different perspective, I talked to Diabetes Educators, Nurses, Doctors and a Health Coach. The one word that kept coming up was “unpredictable.” That’s because there are many things that affect blood sugar levels. What kept coming up was that sticking to a routine can help with managing diabetes. Especially after the summertime picnics, family gatherings, and vacations. These things are fun, but they can cause your blood sugar levels to go up. Now that fall is coming, it’s time to get back to a routine. Here are some tips.

Habits can help with routines

Make caring for your diabetes an everyday habit. Put your glucose meter in your kitchen, where you can easily see it. That makes it easy to remember to do your blood sugar checks. Choosing to only buy healthy foods makes eating better simple. And take a walk daily, whether it’s in the morning or evening. Doing these three things can help you make healthy habits into a daily routine.

Routine is one of the
best ways to find
success when it
comes to diabetes
management

Don’t stray too much from your regular diet

Another way to stay on top of your blood sugar is by eating the food that you’re familiar with. It’s reassuring to know that you could eat things like grilled cheese or chicken salad without worrying about your blood sugar going up. It’s not the most exciting food to eat, but you’ll be assured that your blood sugar levels will be where they should be.

Get a handle on stress

You can’t control everything. But you do have control of a few things. Watching what you eat and staying active can 
help you avoid stress. If you’re feeling stress, your blood sugar can go up. Healthy habits can protect you from feeling too much stress.

Talk to your healthcare team

No two people are the same, so what works for one person may not work for you. That’s why it’s a good idea to figure out your diabetes routine with your healthcare team. Look at the medicines you take and your lifestyle. Do you take insulin? If so, you may have to test your blood sugar before and after meals as well as in the morning. Sticking to your routine can help you stay on track with your diabetes care. Be sure to include your medicines, activity level, diet, and sleep habits when you’re figuring out your routine.

Go to sleep

Your bedtime routine is also important. Your body has its own rhythm. If your sleep is irregular, you may have a tough time getting to sleep and staying asleep. That's why it's a good idea to keep a regular bedtime and get up at the same time each morning. This schedule can make a difference.

Nobody’s perfect

Life being what it is, there will be times when your routine is off. That’s okay. Be sure to stay in contact with your diabetes management team. Come up with some ideas for when you’re feeling sick, or away from home for a period of time. Having someone you can talk to if you’re feeling stressed is important, too. If your routine is off for a few days, don’t worry about it. Try to get back to your routine when you can. This can help you manage your diabetes and get back to living your life.

Jessica Apple is the co-founder and editor in chief of the online diabetes lifestyle magazine A Sweet Life. Her writing has appeared in many publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Financial Times Magazine, The Southern Review, The Bellevue Literary Review and Tablet Magazine. Apple is a paid contributor for The DX. All opinions contained in this article reflect those of the contributor and interviewees, and not of Sanofi US, its employees, agencies or affiliates.