Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty kind of person?

When it comes to living with diabetes, your point of view can be a game changer. It’s called positive thinking, and it can help you take a healthy approach to living with diabetes.

How does it work? People who are positive tend to take actions that can lead to healthy outcomes. While negative thinking can be discouraging, positive thinking can be encouraging.

A positive outlook can help you take on challenges, celebrate successes, and move forward to a future full of hope, health, and happiness.

The good news is that you can develop a positive outlook. Here are 7 ways to help you get started. Think positive: You can do this!

Try a positive mantra such as, I am strong, I can do this

1. Ask For Answers

Learn as much as you can about life with diabetes. And if something is unclear to you, ask. Keep a running list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. Use this discussion guide to get you started. There’s absolutely no shame in saying there’s something you don’t know or don’t understand.

2. Find Your Inspiration

We all have deeply personal reasons for wanting to achieve our health goals. Identify what inspires you, and tap into those powerful motivators. It may be something like spending time with the young children in your family, or making travel plans for your retirement years.

3. Make A Gratitude List

Focus on the good things in life you want for yourself, such as health, happiness, and successfully managing your diabetes.

4. Set Reasonable Goals

Commit to taking small steps, which can be more effective than attempting a large overhaul. Choose small, realistic goals you can gradually build upon, and celebrate each small goal as you meet it.

5. Celebrate Achievements for You and Your Loved Ones

Recognize how you overcame a challenge in the past, and acknowledge your accomplishments. Try to remember that those strengths are within you and are available for you to use anytime. All relationships grow when there's give and take and it's important for you to recognize how your family/friends provide support in healthy decision making or overcome a challenge too.

6. Be Good To Yourself

Self-care is important! Consider making time for regular exercise, yoga, meditation, writing in a journal, or other relaxing activities. Try using a positive mantra such as: “I am strong, I can do this!” Try writing your mantra on a note and posting it to the mirror in the bathroom, that may help keep it top of mind.

7. Think Direction, Not Perfection

Use your positive outlook to keep moving forward to a future of happiness and good health. No one is perfect, but we can all strive to be positive. And remember, if you mess-up on something try not to beat yourself up; instead try to learn from it so you can change it.

For more on mental health and diabetes visit https://beyondtype2.org/mental-health/