Living with diabetes comes with its share of challenges, both physical and emotional. Frustration, worry and anxiety are among the top commonly experienced feelings. These often contribute to  thought patterns that make us question  ourselves, and our medical community as well  creating additional stress and hindering our overall well-being. However, incorporating simple holistic self-care practices into your daily routine can make a world of difference. 

Let’s explore the impact of negative thought patterns on your blood sugar levels and introduce you to a powerful holistic self-care practice to help transform them.

Understanding Negative Thought Patterns

Negative thought patterns can manifest in various ways in your life. From feelings of frustration and self-criticism to anxiety about blood sugar levels and fear of complications, these thoughts can significantly impact mental and physical health. Ongoing feelings that are left unchecked or mismanaged, can create a cycle of even more stress and overwhelm, making it that much more challenging to effectively manage your diabetes.

The Impact on Diabetes Management

Negative thought patterns can have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels. Stress hormones released in response to negative emotions can elevate your blood sugar levels, making it harder to maintain stable glucose levels. Additionally, feelings of hopelessness or defeat can lead to a lack of motivation to engage in self-care activities, such as monitoring blood sugars or making healthy lifestyle choices.

A Holistic Self-Care Practice to Break Free from Negative Thought Patterns

One simple yet powerful holistic self-care practice is to challenge your negative self-talk.  Question its accuracy and validity. Ask yourself if there is evidence to support these thoughts or if they are based on assumptions or past experiences.

Here are the steps to begin making this your go-to self-care practice when negative self-talk arises:

• Identify Negative Thoughts: Start by recognizing when negative thoughts related to diabetes arise. These may include thoughts like "I'll never be able to control my blood sugar" or "My diabetes makes me a burden to others." Being aware of these thoughts is the first step in challenging them.
• Question the Accuracy: Once you've identified a negative thought, ask yourself if it's accurate and supported by evidence. For example, if you think, "I'll never be able to control my blood sugar," challenge this by asking yourself if there have been times when you've successfully managed your blood sugar levels. Look for evidence that contradicts the negative thought.
• Replace with Positive Affirmations: After questioning the accuracy of the negative thought, replace it with a positive affirmation or statement. For instance, if you challenge the thought "My diabetes makes me a burden to others," replace it with "I am capable of managing my diabetes, and I have a supportive network to help me when needed." Focus on empowering statements that reinforce your ability to manage diabetes effectively.

By incorporating simple holistic self-care practices like challenging negative self-talk, you can begin to break free from these patterns and cultivate a more positive mindset. Remember, taking care of your mental and emotional well-being is just as important as managing your blood sugar levels.

Daily Positive Support from a Team and Community of People Just Like You

Join our uplifting community and dedicated team to discover easy, natural ways to keep your spirits high and connect with others for inspiration. Learn self-care strategies and tools to improve your mood in many ways - through your mindset, meals, movement and more.  You don’t have to navigate your diabetes journey alone—start your free month today and embark on a path to a healthier, happier life with people who truly care about you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ac., C.H., RDH
Dr. Holistic Studies, Dr. Acupuncture
Diabetes Wellness Strategist & Coach
Creator & CEO of Holistic Diabetes Solutions
8 X International Best-Selling Author

As a woman living with diabetes for over 30 years, Dr. Cheryl understands the journey firsthand. When she was diagnosed, she received the same outdated advice her grandmother was given for over four decades, who relied primarily on medication, suffered from deteriorating health and eventually lost her life to diabetes. Fueled by this experience, Dr. Cheryl was compelled to seek a better way. Through countless research studies and trials, she developed the winning holistic approach: the Diabetes Success System which merges traditional wisdom with today’s best holistic self-care practices.  It has revolutionized diabetes management by providing a trusted way to maintain consistent and predictable healthy blood sugar levels.  Join the thousands of people worldwide who have been empowered by Dr. Cheryl's approach and start living your healthiest life.

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PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER

The material and content contained in this platform is for overall general diabetes health and education information only. It is not intended to constitute medical advice or to be a substitution for professional medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. All specific medical questions or changes you make to your medication and/or lifestyle should be discussed and addressed with your primary healthcare provider. Having the right mindset, doing the right movements at the right times of day, and eating foods that help keep blood sugar, insulin, and inflammation manageable can dramatically reduce your risk of the all-too-common complications of Diabetes, increase your energy levels and have you feeling your best every day.