Paper is for origami, not diabetes logbooks
I think I speak for many people with diabetes (PWDs) when I say that manually keeping track of diabetes data is a lot of work! Of course, there are a lot of things we do that take work—like brushing our teeth—yet we still do them. Why? Because there are benefits. In the case of tooth brushing, that means bright, white teeth, fewer cavities and a beautiful smile. Keeping a logbook is similar in that there's a payoff and it gets easier once you make it a habit. You can't learn from data that isn't there Years ago, I went to my diabetes doctor empty handed. Unfortunately, I also...
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Women with diabetes - own your strength and lift each other up
BY CHRISTEL OERUM (DIABETES STRONG) I am a woman living with diabetes, and if you read this, there is a high likelihood that you are too. Aside from living with diabetes, we might not have much in common, but that does not mean that we cannot or should not support each other. Living with diabetes as a woman comes with a tremendous number of challenges, and there is no reason why any of us should have to face those challenges entirely on our own. Strong women lift each other up...
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The incredible, unbelievable value of having a friend living with diabetes.
Guest article by Christel Oerum. Have you ever imagined having a best friend who also lives with diabetes? How wonderful it would be to meet the perfect "diabuddy" who truly understands what it means to live with diabetes and relates to what you deal with every day. They wouldn't have to guess at what you're thinking—they'd know because it's their life too. You are not alone. There are so many of us living with diabetes around the world. If you're open to it and willing to share your experience with others, the chance of meeting another person living with...
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Sleeping better for people living with diabetes: Tips for your body and mind.
Sleep is a fundamental need for the body. It affects emotional well-being, cognitive function, daytime performance and physical health. Poor sleep quality can influence weight, appetite and mental health, and has been associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk. It can also affect your body's sensitivity to insulin1. For most adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is optimal, whereas a child can require between 8 and 15 hours of sleep each day1. If you aren't getting the sleep you need, some causes may be caffeine or alcohol consumption, diet...
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Good reasons to open your home and heart to a pet
When you run across a pet adoption event, are you drawn in? Those cute little fur-babies are so tempting—perhaps it's time to give in. You already know that pets offer wonderful emotional benefits, but did you know that they can provide physical benefits as well? In addition to unconditional love and companionship, a pet can be just the motivation you need to take better care of yourself or get more exercise. They can also make a big difference in your stress levels and mood. And, if you're walking a dog every day, there may be social benefits as well1...
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One resolution: Drink more water
If you have been reading us for a while, you know we are not big fans of resolutions. Goals? Yes. Commitments to yourself at any time of year? Certainly. However, we are bending our own rule a bit this year. Because if ever there were a resolution worth making, and super easy to boot, it is this one: drink more water. Even better, drinking water may help you with other goals and resolutions if you were to decide to go that route. Here is a peek at how: Water for weight loss or management A 2019...
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A Makeover for Your Home and Habits
There are 2 ways even people who already manage diabetes well can make their self-care even better: Set up your environment for success Practise healthy habits We tend to think people who do something well, do so because they are highly motivated or have lots of willpower. But that is not necessarily true. An environment that supports the actions you want to take can make a positive difference. And while willpower is great, it is a finite resource—it will run out. Think about it this way. Keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom makes brushing your teeth...
Read More
Better Diabetes Care in a Single Step
The big secret to living a long and healthy life with diabetes is not really a big secret. There are certain phrases that seem to be played on a loop in every physician's office. "Check your blood sugar levels, administer medication appropriately, eat nutrient-dense foods and exercise," is common advice, but putting it into action can be a challenge. After all, when you're busy with work, school, family, social activities and other obligations, something has to be left along the way. Unfortunately, exercise is often the first thing to be dropped. Why is exercise important for...
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5 ways to manage type 2 diabetes while working from home
Making the shift from being an in-office employee to one who works remotely can certainly be an adjustment. You may need to learn how to balance your own conference calls, create boundaries between your family time and late-night requests from colleagues when there’s no commute separating the spheres of your life and focus on that quarterly report when there are piles of laundry staring you in the face. But if you’re one of the nearly 4 million Canadians living with diabetes, working from home presents a whole different set of challenges. Let’s face it; it’s easier to give into stress...
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Women with diabetes - own your strength and lift each other up
BY CHRISTEL OERUM (DIABETES STRONG) I am a woman living with diabetes, and if you read this, there is a high likelihood that you are too. Aside from living with diabetes, we might not have much in common, but that does not mean that we cannot or should not support each other. Living with diabetes as a woman comes with a tremendous number of challenges, and there is no reason why any of us should have to face those challenges entirely on our own. Strong women lift each other up...
Read More The incredible, unbelievable value of having a friend living with diabetes.
Guest article by Christel Oerum. Have you ever imagined having a best friend who also lives with diabetes? How wonderful it would be to meet the perfect "diabuddy" who truly understands what it means to live with diabetes and relates to what you deal with every day. They wouldn't have to guess at what you're thinking—they'd know because it's their life too. You are not alone. There are so many of us living with diabetes around the world. If you're open to it and willing to share your experience with others, the chance of meeting another person living with...
Read More Sleeping better for people living with diabetes: Tips for your body and mind.
Sleep is a fundamental need for the body. It affects emotional well-being, cognitive function, daytime performance and physical health. Poor sleep quality can influence weight, appetite and mental health, and has been associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk. It can also affect your body's sensitivity to insulin1. For most adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is optimal, whereas a child can require between 8 and 15 hours of sleep each day1. If you aren't getting the sleep you need, some causes may be caffeine or alcohol consumption, diet...
Read More Good reasons to open your home and heart to a pet
When you run across a pet adoption event, are you drawn in? Those cute little fur-babies are so tempting—perhaps it's time to give in. You already know that pets offer wonderful emotional benefits, but did you know that they can provide physical benefits as well? In addition to unconditional love and companionship, a pet can be just the motivation you need to take better care of yourself or get more exercise. They can also make a big difference in your stress levels and mood. And, if you're walking a dog every day, there may be social benefits as well1...
Read More One resolution: Drink more water
If you have been reading us for a while, you know we are not big fans of resolutions. Goals? Yes. Commitments to yourself at any time of year? Certainly. However, we are bending our own rule a bit this year. Because if ever there were a resolution worth making, and super easy to boot, it is this one: drink more water. Even better, drinking water may help you with other goals and resolutions if you were to decide to go that route. Here is a peek at how: Water for weight loss or management A 2019...
Read More A Makeover for Your Home and Habits
There are 2 ways even people who already manage diabetes well can make their self-care even better: Set up your environment for success Practise healthy habits We tend to think people who do something well, do so because they are highly motivated or have lots of willpower. But that is not necessarily true. An environment that supports the actions you want to take can make a positive difference. And while willpower is great, it is a finite resource—it will run out. Think about it this way. Keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom makes brushing your teeth...
Read More Better Diabetes Care in a Single Step
The big secret to living a long and healthy life with diabetes is not really a big secret. There are certain phrases that seem to be played on a loop in every physician's office. "Check your blood sugar levels, administer medication appropriately, eat nutrient-dense foods and exercise," is common advice, but putting it into action can be a challenge. After all, when you're busy with work, school, family, social activities and other obligations, something has to be left along the way. Unfortunately, exercise is often the first thing to be dropped. Why is exercise important for...
Read More 5 ways to manage type 2 diabetes while working from home
Making the shift from being an in-office employee to one who works remotely can certainly be an adjustment. You may need to learn how to balance your own conference calls, create boundaries between your family time and late-night requests from colleagues when there’s no commute separating the spheres of your life and focus on that quarterly report when there are piles of laundry staring you in the face. But if you’re one of the nearly 4 million Canadians living with diabetes, working from home presents a whole different set of challenges. Let’s face it; it’s easier to give into stress...
Read More