Mind yourself!
Our health isn't just about our bodies. The way we think about things also affects how we feel and how we act in certain situations.
You probably already know a lot about how diabetes affects your physical health, but what about the thoughts you have about diabetes? Do they affect how you feel?
"Life with diabetes can be hard; and has its fair share of concerns. Will my friends accept the fact that I have to inject before meals? Will they find it gross if I test my blood sugar levels in front of them, or if I inject in front of them? Will I get teased about this?"
I Think, Therefore I Feel
Sometimes when we struggle with a problem, unhelpful thoughts can creep into our minds and can actually make us feel a lot worse.
If you're playing a game of sport, like football or netball, and you start to feel a hypo coming on, you might think something like: "I'm playing well and I don't want to stop now. If my team mates see me stop they might think I'm letting them down" These sorts of thoughts cause you to feel pretty isolated and stressed, and that's a lot of pressure to carry around.
Instead, you might have thought: "I need to take care of myself. It's a lot worse if I keep going and let myself down and also my team. I can just stop quickly to make sure I'm ok. My friends know I have diabetes and they always understand". Thinking this way will help you stay healthy and strong, and you'll have a much higher chance of helping your team win!
