Phil Eager is part of a newly-launched ‘Experts’ initiative by Diabetes News Hound. He writes columns about diabetes and stress management, mental health, family matters and communication based on his own experierince. You can check out Phil’s bio here.
We all know that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can make us feel like we are in a daze! For most, this time of year is busy enough with all the shopping, crowds, travel and planning holiday festivities.
But, for a diabetic, a person with diabetes, or a person who lives with a person affected by diabetes, trying to managing blood sugar levels during the holiday meals and snacks can throw a curveball into the mix. Having to adapt to all the stress of being in many places and situations that involve food and drink can be draining.
Holiday Stressors
* Time (everyone seems rushed)
* Travel (having to drive, fly, sit for long periods in crowded places)
* Money (never enough)
* Food (too much, not enough or unhealthy)
* Family (yes, we love them but they can drive us nuts)
* Medication (where did my insulin go? why is my pump not working? How many tablets am I suppose to take?).
* Blood Sugar (feeling rundown because the sugars they are a changin’)
* Schedule changes (regular schedules change over the holidays)
* Exercise (who has time for that? I’d love to but I am too busy)
Holiday stress is real but what is just as real is the power of your attitude. This article is meant to focus on the joys of the holiday season, not the stresses, in hope that we can be thankful for all of the positives we do have, even in hard times.
Focus on the Positives
* Time (what a joyous time of year)
* Travel (it is so cool that I can get there)
* Money (thankful for what we have)
* Food (how delicious)
* Family (what a great family)
* Medication (these meds help me be here)
* Blood Sugar (feeling good when I have tight control)
* Schedule changes (go with the flow)
Below is a collection of some of my favorite motivational quotes. They focus on the power of positive thinking and perspective and can help us think of the possibilities, rather than the limits, of diabetes:
* “Genius without education is like silver in the mine.” –Ben Franklin
* “When people are highly motivated, it is easy to accomplish the impossible. When they aren’t, it’s impossible to accomplish the easy.”–Bob Collings
* “You are not what you think you are. But what you think, YOU ARE!” –Norman V. Peale
* “Self-pity is an acid which eats holes in happiness.” –Earl Nightengale
* “If you think diabetes is bad you need to visit an intensive care or cancer unit. Count your blessings and be truly thankful for life.” –Phil Eager
Each of the Expert columns are based on the experiences and knowledge of the individual columnists. The columns are meant to provide you with helpful information, but are not meant to be considered direct advice. Before making any decisions that could affect your health, make sure to contact a physician or the appropriate medical professional.
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I honestly thank God that the holidays are coming to and end usually I am creature of habit and I have a my routines down packed when it comes to diet and exercise but that all seems to be tossed out of the window when it comes to holiday social gatherings and I prefer to live without the additional stress of this period.