If you have just discovered you have type 2 diabetes - you are now part of a community with millions of people around the world. You may be feeling a range of emotions at this point, and that is only natural. But know that you are not alone on this journey.

Your healthcare provider, loved ones, friends, co-workers and social network are all people who may band together to help bring you some sense of calm where emotions are concerned.

Getting a handle on emotions

Diabetes management requires a shift in lifestyle. For some, the revelation of a new lifestyle may trigger a range of emotions. These are natural responses to any medical diagnosis, big or small, and are experienced by many others. For some, learning that they have diabetes can trigger emotions of:

• concern
• anxiety
• frustration
• disappointment
• stress

After a diagnosis, acknowledge these emotions and try to avoid the feeling of guilt. This process is an important part of your emotional recovery and may help put you in good stead for managing your diabetes.

Give yourself time to adjust to the diagnosis, and your new way of life. You will eventually gain confidence in your ability to adapt. You may at times feel demotivated, with ups and downs along the way, so take the time to celebrate the wins as you go along.

Know that living with diabetes is not something to be ashamed of. Focus on things you may control rather than things you cannot control. Managing both diabetes and your emotions is not difficult once you set your mind to a specific outcome.

Keep in mind that it may take some time to come to terms with the emotional aspect of the diagnosis. But remember to manage these emotions in your own way. Such news may impact different people differently. How you cope and decide to strategize your action plan will vary too.

Coping with the emotional aspect of living with diabetes

As with any health matter, it may be a little overwhelming in the initial stages of diagnosis. Once you have the right information on hand, with the support of your healthcare provider, you will be empowered to devise a diabetes management plan. This is crucial in staying in control of your emotions, which may impact the steps you take.

Learn and take charge

Living with diabetes does not mean you cannot work, love, and enjoy life to its fullest. By taking charge of your condition, you will gradually learn to manage your diabetes, without unnecessary sacrifice or compromise.

The first step after a diagnosis is to take charge. Start with speaking to your healthcare provider. This may help you to understand your diagnosis and equip yourself with the right information. Your healthcare provider may advise you on your new responsibilities and provide a sense of relief amidst all the emotions you may be feeling.

Your healthcare provider may also provide answers to some questions you may have that may include the following:

• Am I going to have to change the way I eat?
• How often do I check my blood sugar levels?
• Will I have to take medication?
• How much exercise do I have to do?
• Should I involve loved ones in my diabetes management?

As you ease into your own diabetes management routine, here are some tips that may help you further:

• Getting physical: a quick walk may do wonders in helping lower blood sugar. It also releases endorphins, a hormone which invokes a 'feel good' emotion.
• Achieving relaxation: meditation or yoga may help relieve stress and calm the mind.
• Getting support: seeking help from those close to you or support groups may provide a sense of control on your emotions and diabetes management.
• Getting 'me' time: Go outside, do something fun. Some alone time may help you gather your thoughts and gain clarity on the next steps.
• Limiting vices: Reduce or avoid alcohol and smoking. Go for healthy eating options.

Seek the right support

Talking about diabetes and how it affects you emotionally is not always easy. However, sharing your diagnosis with loved ones may offer comfort both for you and those close to you.

Family support in diabetes care has shown to have a substantial effect in helping improve health outcomes. It may also be very reassuring for those with diabetes, especially during the early stages of discovery.

Joining support groups and sharing your experience with others may give you a sense of solidarity and inspire you to be motivated together.

Create and activate an action plan

Speaking with your healthcare provider after diagnosis should have provided you with some tips and skills on managing your diabetes. The next step here is to apply that knowledge in your day-to-day life.

Now, you may be a little overwhelmed on how exactly to go about doing this as it may vary from person to person. A good way to help manage those emotions is to acknowledge the things that you have an affinity for. For instance, a favorite recipe, or a type of exercise that appeals to you the most. Doing this may give you a sense of familiarity and make you feel in control of your lifestyle change.

The following is how you may incorporate some of these ideas and activate them:

Get moving

The benefits of exercise cannot be overstated in diabetes management. Set a clear goal to be active for most days of the week. Start slow by taking walks at your own pace, and gradually pick up the pace as you see fit. Taking the time to break into these new routines is crucial in keeping you motivated.

Yoga is considered to be good exercise for those living with diabetes. It helps regulate cortisol and other stress hormones, inadvertently helping you regulate any emotions. Research about different poses or discuss some options with an instructor. Then, run them by your healthcare provider and see which ones suit you best.

Taking nutritional supplements may also help keep you physically fit. When you take Glucerna as part of your Type 2 diabetes management plan, it may help you lose up to 15 lbs in 6 months¹² vs. nutritional counselling alone. The nutritional supplement is also known to help reduce weight and waist circumference¹² and it helps curb hunger between meals combined with balanced meals and a healthy lifestyle⁹.

Get cooking

Having diabetes does not mean you have to skip all of the delicious homemade food that you are used to.

A good meal plan is one that may help keep your blood glucose within a healthy range. You may still fall back on the meals you used to have, but be sure to make any modifications to suit your requirements as outlined by your healthcare provider.

While at it, try including the family for other fun recipe ideas that you may have together and get cooking. This may help you keep a positive relationship with food as you start making a change in your lifestyle.

If you are time-pressed, have a diabetes-specific nutrition with you on the go. Complex preparation and cooking on busy days may be one less worry to deal with.

You may consider a diabetes specific nutritional supplement like Glucerna, a diabetes supplement nutrition drink that contains 35 nutrients and has 4x more inositol (vs. previous formulation) that delivers a dual action for blood sugar control⁷, along with proper diet, daily activities, and rest. It is clinically-proven to help manage glucose levels and has a low glycaemic index (GI), accompanied with balance diet and exercise. Glucerna is scientifically supported by more than 50 clinical papers over the last 30 years, and its benefits are seen in the improvement of blood sugar management and diabetes symptoms, with balanced diet and exercise.

It may also contribute to the slow release of carbohydrates that may help the body produce insulin naturally; together with inositol, help convert sugar into energy that may be used by the body, with balanced diet and exercise⁶.

Glucerna is known to help minimize blood sugar by up to 64% vs. standard formula¹⁰ - as part of type 2 diabetes management program with balanced meals and healthy lifestyle, and help stabilize blood sugar up to 90% of the time¹¹.

Round up a cheer team

Gathering a team of supporters may help provide a strong foundation for helping you feel your best.

This may include your spouse, kids, healthcare provider, friends, and even a trainer at your gym.

A diabetes support group on the other hand may help ease any worry you may have about diabetes management. Others who also have diabetes may provide insights and tips which you may mold into steps that are relevant to your diabetes management.

Set realistic goals

With the help of your healthcare provider, you may understand the details that go into a type 2 diabetes management plan.

Setting specific goals or milestones after understanding these aspects may provide a sense of clarity on what you need to achieve. Set realistic targets, in which milestones along the way are easily attainable. As before, celebrating these small wins may go a long way in supporting your emotions.

Ready, set, stay in control of emotions

It is true that living with diabetes may sometimes feel overwhelming. The key is to work closely with your healthcare provider to help ensure you are on the right track. Find little inspirations along your journey to stay on this track, whether it is in your dietary changes or exercise routines.

Be empowered by your plans. Like most achievements in life - draw from willpower and stay positive. Nothing is easy at first, but when the results show, you will not want to stop.

For more information and resources related to diabetes management, visit the official website of Glucerna.

Glucerna comes in Vanilla and Chocolate flavors. It also comes in a ready-to-drink bottle.

To check out products from Glucerna, visit their Shopee and Lazada pages.

References:
* Source: Euromonitor International Limited; total global retail sales in 2020 for diabetic diet enhancer drinks that are not marketed as a meal replacement product. Euromonitor and Abbott calculation based in part on Lifestyle Nutrition custom homescan panel database and Health Shopper survey for Abbott's custom Diabetes Nutrition category for the 52 weeks ending January 2nd, 2021 time period, Total US All Outlet. Copyright © 2021, NielsenIQ Consumer LLC., and Euromonitor Passport Consumer Health 2021.
** Chee WSS, et al. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2017

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ASC Reference No. A0072P112323G

PH.2023.43540.GLU.1 (v1.1)