Eight Things-to-do while managing diabetes at home during lockdown for your good health

Thinking of diabetes care? True that having a healthy diet and exercise is an everyday activity that you need. You can also keep a check on your weekly blood glucose levels with strips. You know it impacts many areas of your health and particularly leaves an impact on your lifestyle in the long term. Keeping long-term goals with an effective diabetes meal plan is important. 

1. List Your Goals 

Apart from having Blood glucose meter for periodical check, some of the other goals you can keep are - diet which is a very important goal and the other is exercise apart from daily medications. Staying healthy as much as possible can prevent further diabetes complications. Maintain a journal - write down your goals and also what would you like to eat and avoid eating. 

2. Check on Cholesterol Level 

Being diabetic, you are likely to have (LDL) “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lower “good” cholesterol (HDL). Increased intake of simple sugars can increase triglyceride levels and also high intake of alcohol. Smoking can decrease HDL levels.  Work on setting a heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly. Consider checking your lipid profile by your doctor.

3. Quit smoking 

Smoking can increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and it makes it more difficult to keep a control on the condition and it is likely that you may develop more complications such as poor blood flow, heart disease and eye problems.

4. Healthy eyesight

Diabetes may increase the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy and if left untreated, it may lead to vision loss. The risk is higher in the long run, if you have diabetes. Getting an eye exam once a year is important.

5. Maintain a healthy feet

Foot problems are common among people who have diabetes and lead to serious complications and it is important to get treated for any skin problems, wounds or ulcers. To keep healthy, walk regularly to improve circulation and treat your feet with care. Get a foot exam done by your doctor once a year. 

6. Stay relaxed

Though stress may sometimes affect you, try to stay relaxed. Get into an activity that relaxes you or watch a movie or take sleep. Discuss with your doctor or a family friend about stress-related issues. 

7. Healthy weight 

By changing your diet in the short term, you can achieve weight loss goals. However, maintaining a healthy weight is a big challenge. 

You may achieve your weight loss goals by changing your diet in the short term, but maintaining that healthy weight is challenging. Many things other than diet and exercise impact the numbers on your scale such as hormone levels, lifestyle habits such as sleep, and stress. Setting long-term goals to continue to lose a set number of pounds or to maintain a healthy weight can help you stay motivated.

On a steady focus, set your goal to increase your daily activity such as by painting, take a 15-minute walk, or become a home chef for diabetic patients, make artificial flowers (some activity to keep you engaged, if are retired) and get busy to work on that extra kilos.

8. Record your blood sugar levels 

Monitor your blood sugar levels and if you can record, it is still a better way to monitor them. You can either write it down or make a note of it on your phone or tablet. A journal of your daily diet of what you were eating, doing and time of relaxation. Set long term goals to regularly monitor and identify patterns of changes needed.

Conclusion

Long-term health goals can help in managing your diabetes. These goals have to be achievable and thinking of S.M.A.R.T which are :

• Specific: What would you like to accomplish and how long will it take to accomplish?
• Measurable:  How you would measure the goals and is it required to get the cholesterol blood test or by your weight
• Achievable : Ensure that these goals are achievable and do your homework properly.
• Realistic: Set sensible goals that are smaller to achieve step-by-step.
• Timed: Set timing so that you do not lose motivation.

Share and discuss your goals with your friends and let them know that you would like to stay motivated by talking to them daily or weekly by mail or phone.