MyHealthCoach: Unclogging the Emotional Drain of Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month. 

Depending on the type of diabetes you have you may be able to manage it with lifestyle habits (nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management) and you may need prescribed medication.

A day in the life of someone living with diabetes includes determining the foods and portions that work best for the individual. It means thinking about every meal, snack, and beverage 7 days a week, including holidays, birthdays and vacations. Finding time for aerobic exercise most days of the week is best and muscle strengthening at least twice a week along with your full-time and/or part time work, family obligations and additional activities. Also, be sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep and take the correct dosage of medications at the correct times. If you use insulin at meals (injection or via insulin pump) remember to take the dose 20 minutes before you eat and don’t forget your night-time insulin. People with diabetes may also have to check blood sugar levels (finger-stick) multiple times per day, monitor their continuous glucose monitor (CGM) without obsessing over it, and manage the multiple alarms and alerts on a CGM or insulin pump interrupting a work meeting, social function or sleep. Those living with diabetes must keep up with regular doctor appointments, get periodic blood work (every 3-6 months), and pay for prescription medications and diabetes supplies.

There’s also navigating friends and loved ones making comments about your lifestyle habits that may feel judgmental, hurtful, or like you’re being “food-policed.”

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed and/or exhausted reading this? For people living with diabetes and prediabetes, it can be emotionally and mentally challenging. Diabetes distress refers to the negative emotions such as stress, guilt, anxiety, sadness, frustration and anger people with diabetes may feel because of their chronic condition. These emotions may lead to decreased engagement with their diabetes care plan. Attending to the emotional aspects of living with diabetes is critical to optimizing health.

To learn more about diabetes distress, look for a link to the My Health Coach video in the November issue of Thrive Every Day from Human Resources (or check the Human Resources Website).

If you or a loved one may be experiencing diabetes distress, please talk with a health care provider. Your Princeton University benefits provide a robust Employee Assistance Program through Carebridge; counseling services with licensed professionals are available 24/7 at 800-437-0911. 

Your Health Coach can help too. The My Health Coach program takes a holistic approach to health which includes helping you understand the effects of stress on your health and how to address stress in a way that works for you. Your Health Coach can support you with self-care behaviors around nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene and medication adherence. Financially, the My Health coach program can support people with prediabetes or diabetes. Those who work with a Health Coach and use Princeton’s medical benefits are eligible to receive a one-time $250 incentive and FREE diabetes medications and supplies. For more information about the My Health Coach program call 866-237-0973 or email [email protected]. To enroll, visit this webpage.

The person who has a diabetes diagnosis is a human being living with diabetes. If you are living with diabetes, be kind to yourself, give yourself grace and ask for help. If you love someone with diabetes, remember they are a person first and thank you for your support.