7 Self-Care Tips if You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Learning you have Type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be overwhelming. And so can learning how to manage the chronic condition — from how to check your blood sugar levels daily to how to make adjustments to the foods you eat.

So, how can you focus on your Type 2 diabetes self-care? Registered dietitian and diabetes educator Nicole Bruno, RD, LD, shares what you can do to ensure you’re taking care of your whole self.

7 self-care tips if you have Type 2 diabetes

“‘Self-care’ is an overarching term that’s all about prioritizing your health first,” explains Bruno. “Self-care isn’t just about your physical health — it’s also about your mental health.”

Bruno offers the following advice.

1. Manage stress

Stress affects everyone’s body. But when you have T2D, stress can actually increase your blood sugar.

“Cortisol, a stress hormone, can stimulate your liver to produce a little bit more glucose,” explains Bruno. “When your liver is pumping out that extra sugar in a stress response, and you’re insulin resistant, then that leads to higher blood sugars.”

There are many things you can do to manage or reduce your stress. Bruno suggests figuring out your key stress triggers (for example, an upcoming work presentation or arguing with your partner), and then looking for ways to manage stress around those situations.

Some simple, effective things you can do?

• Practice box breathing.
• Try meditation or yoga.
• Take a walk around the block.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Read a book.

2. Focus on sleep

If you’ve ever had trouble falling asleep or getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you know that you can wake up cranky and tired.

“Sleep deprivation or inadequate sleep can result in high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia),” shares Bruno. “Both inadequate and poor-quality sleep have similar symptoms to hyperglycemia, including fatigue and hunger, so it’s important to keep an eye on your blood sugars and try to catch up on rest if you can.”

Also, think about when you’re going to bed.

“Research shows that poor sleep quality is associated with a 40% increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” reports Bruno, “and that those with the evening chronotype (staying up later or waking up later) have higher odds for Type 2 diabetes, independent of sleep duration or quality.”

Even if you’re getting a good seven to nine hours of sleep, try to shift your bedtime schedule to be more appropriate. Going to bed a little bit earlier and waking up a little bit earlier helps align natural circadian rhythms and promotes quality sleep.

3. Monitor your blood sugar

Checking your blood sugar throughout the day — sometimes, three to four times — is part of your new normal. And it can feel like a lot to keep track of. But it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.

“It’s important to monitor your blood sugar so you know what’s going on in your body,” clarifies Bruno. “If doing so consistently is really difficult for you, start with checking once a day or start with checking it a few times a week, so you can at least get in some sort of habit.”

Bruno also recommends setting alarms and talking with your healthcare provider about the best times each day for you to check.

4. Rethink what you eat

The foods you eat are key to managing your blood sugar levels. But if the idea of overhauling what you eat is daunting, don’t despair.

“Focus on making small, gradual changes,” recommends Bruno. “Are there ways you can start incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins? Start by looking at what you currently eat and see which types of food you might be missing.”

The goal is to build a balanced meal that has:

• Non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli or green beans
• Lean proteins, like chicken or fish
• Carbs, like whole grains or beans

Another way to make sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet is by meal planning and even keeping a food journal to give you an accurate picture.

“You want to aim for three meals a day, with four to five hours between those meals. Meal planning can help with this,” she adds. “And using some kind of food journal can help keep you accountable and more likely to stick with your nutrition goals.”

5. Get moving

Another important part of your self-care journey? Exercise.

“Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins are your feel-good hormone,” says Bruno. “So, not only do you feel better, but exercise also lowers blood sugars.”

If you’re not sure where to begin, Bruno offers the following advice:

• Start by taking baby steps. “You can start small and create a measurable goal,” she suggests. “Whether you exercise one day a week for five minutes, or it’s three days a week for 10 minutes, we want to be able to have a goal that’s measurable.” Starting gradually is going to help you feel more accomplished and more confident.
• Refine your goals along the way. “By having small, attainable goals, you build up motivation to keep going,” explains Bruno. “Think about increasing duration or frequency.” For example, can you add five minutes to each workout session or add an additional workout day to your week?

And when it comes to what type of exercise counts, activities like running, biking, swimming and yoga can be great choices. But don’t overlook other tasks you might perform throughout your day.

“All movement counts. It could be walking your dog. It could be going to the grocery store more often and not doing store pickup,” illustrates Bruno. “It could be parking a little bit farther away when you go somewhere, so you’re getting some extra steps.”

6. Lean on your social connections

Talk to someone about how you’re feeling and any stress you’re trying to manage. In addition to turning to your friends and family for support, consider joining a support group.

“Social connections are going to be great for support, whether it’s a diabetes support group or even just having a family member or a friend you can talk to,” emphasizes Bruno. “When you isolate yourself, it’s easier to ignore a problem or how you’re feeling.”

The American Diabetes Association can be a good resource for finding a support group and additional resources.

Having a good support system can help you stick with your goals and focus on taking care of yourself. And if you’re overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, Bruno says talking to a mental health specialist can help you develop coping skills and techniques to manage your Type 2 diabetes.

7. Stay on top of your appointments

It may seem daunting to have so many appointments with your primary care doctor, your endocrinologist or even a cardiologist.

Bruno offers a few ways you can stay organized before and after appointments:

• Use a calendar app or your medical system’s patient portal to track appointments and set reminders.
• Schedule any follow-up appointments before you leave your doctor’s office.
• Write out any questions beforehand.
• Keep important info like a list of your medications or test results together in one space, document or folder that’s easily accessible.

Key takeaways

As you get more comfortable with managing your T2D, don’t forget to focus on yourself. Self-care habits can improve not only your mood, but also your overall health.

“Prioritizing your self-care comes down to habits — and what we do every single day,” concludes Bruno. “But people get busy, and life happens. Be kind to yourself and make sure you’re focusing on building self-care habits that you can stick with.”