Blood sugar problems are not easy for anyone, especially busy college students. Managing and maintaining blood sugar within a reasonable range may be a challenge, but it is doable. Here are some tips for keeping those sugars within range:
1.) Keep stress in check
Stress can impact the body’s ability to function and more so if one is dealing with any type of blood sugar problems. Stress can cause one to forget to take medicine, skip meals, and check sugars.
Lower stress, on the other hand, can enable one to check sugars more frequently and keep up with the changing levels while maintaining good habits, according to WebMD.
Keeping a good attitude and learn to say no when necessary. Being kind to oneself is important for good mental health.
2.) Get enough sleep
A full and good night’s sleep might seem like a luxury, but in fact it is a necessity when dealing with blood sugar problems.
Getting around 7 hours of sleep for adults is the bare minimum. Too little sleep can contribute to higher insulin resistance and can delay progress in the management of one’s blood sugar goals, according to the CDC.
Also, try to wake up and go to sleep around the same time everyday so the body can get used to getting in a routine.
3.) Balance your meals and divide and conquer
Eating while having blood sugar problems may seem impossible, but it is more doable when a plate is balanced between protein, carbs, and fats. Adding vegetables to your plate can also help reduce one’s A1C, according to the American Diabetes Association.
If one’s blood sugar tends to spike and crash often throughout the day and night try to divide meals into smaller, more frequent opportunities.
4.) Register with SDS
Extra support is always a positive when one is dealing with medical issues. Get registered with Student Disability Services on campus and see what accommodations can be utilized.
Breaks during tests and class as well as ability to eat and drink during class is a helpful accommodation to enable one to manage blood sugar even during tests and class.
5.) Reach out
Finally, reach out and create a support system that is there to nurture and create good habits. Blood sugar problems might not define someone as a person but it can be difficult to deal with, according to Yale Medicine.
Tell new friends about your blood sugar condition and set up action plans for what to do during a hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episode.
Consider reaching out to a therapist to talk about any diabetic distress, depression, or burnout you may be facing.
Blood sugar problems are a difficult and time consuming medical issue. What one does during this period of life can set up a person for success later on in life when it comes to long-term affects of this problem.