Diabetes: Living Your Life

Having diabetes may mean changes at work. It may also mean changes in your social life. But these changes won't keep you from doing well at work or enjoying your free time.

Family and friends

Your family and friends may have questions about diabetes. They may not understand why you need to make changes in your life. Urge them to learn about diabetes with you. Spend time with friends who support you in taking good care of yourself.

Special times

Parties and holidays often mean more food and drink. Or there may be different food or drink. You can still enjoy these events. Here are tips:

• At parties, focus on enjoying music, dancing, or talking to friends.

• Bring a snack or dish that works well for you. The other guests might welcome low-calorie versions of their favorite foods. 

• Before the next holiday, learn how to fit traditional foods into your meal plan.

• Religious holidays may mean fasting or other changes in the way you eat. Talk with your healthcare provider, your dietitian, and your clergy. Ask them how you can observe holidays safely. 

• When eating out, ask for a box to take home some of the food to eat later.

Work

Lunch meetings, shift changes, or business travel may affect diabetes care. Here are tips:

• Make managing your diabetes a priority. If your work schedule changes often or you find it hard to manage your daily tasks, talk with your healthcare provider and your employer. You may need to make changes to your medicines if you travel across time zones. This includes if you use an insulin pump.

• You may need to make special plans to do your daily tasks. This might include checking your blood sugar more often.

• As long as you can do your job safely, by law your employer can’t discriminate against you because of your health.

Tell your healthcare provider if you’re feeling helpless or hopeless. Also tell them if you have trouble sleeping or eating. These are symptoms of depression. This is a serious but treatable problem.