Diabetes Behaviors
& Triggers

Riding The Waves of Ups & Downs

Everyone has good days and bad days. It’s normal to feel discouraged from time to time. Sometimes, however, the stress or overwhelming feelings you’re having are a sign of something bigger. It is helpful to talk to your diabetes care and education specialist or mental health expert. Tell them about your feelings, especially if you:

• Lack interest or pleasure in activities
• Sleep most of the day or not able to sleep
• Don’t see the value in taking care of yourself
• Feel as though diabetes is defeating you or that you can’t take care of yourself

Denial Can Eat Away At Your Success

Denial can creep into any aspect of diabetes self-care and it can sabotage a patient's health care. Denial is human. A few diabetes denial catchphrases can include:

• One bite of this candy won't hurt.
• This sore will heal by itself.
• I will go to the doctor later.
• I do not have time to check my blood sugar levels.
• My diabetes is not serious. I only have to take a pill, not shots.

Beneficial Behaviors Can Greatly Improve Your Health Outcomes

Positive health behaviors for people with diabetes include:

• self-monitoring of blood glucose levels
• eating healthily
• regular physical activity
• taking medications as prescribed
• getting preventive healthcare services: check-up visits, eye examinations, and foot examinations.

Next Article: Diabetes Emergency vs. Preventative Care