Last week I wrote about how I control my diabetes, but there was one factor I didn’t spend too much time on, and that’s stress management. For a more authoritative take on why and how diabetics should manage stress, please read this article from the American Diabetes Association.
I’ve never been much for meditation, though over the years I’ve collected a few methods that work for me … when I feel like doing them. Part of the problem is that I don’t like to sit still or lie still and do “nothing.” Darn the Puritan work ethic of my family and culture. When I do meditate, it’s most likely to be before bedtime, because then I can tell myself that I’m not “doing nothing.” I’m preparing for sleep, and a good night’s sleep is important.
So my stress management tends to take more active forms. There’s exercise, or yard work, or household chores. I love to knit, though there are times when that’s not a good idea. Sitting at my spinning wheel and turning a few ounces of fiber into yards of singles or yarn is great, because I’m not just dealing with stress, but I’m making something useful.
Over the years I’ve come to realize that a big obstacle in stress management is the poisonous idea that self-care is selfish. There’s that little voice inside me treacherously whispering, How dare you. You’re spending time on yourself instead of helping other people. Who do you think you are, that the rest of the world should wait until you’ve finished playing around? Don’t you know others are counting on you?
It’s not always easy to fight that little voice. I have to remind myself that neglecting my self-care put me in the hospital, and I could find myself back there again if I’m not careful. Fighting that nasty little voice is like weeding a garden. You have to keep at it, time and again. You have to remember that you are worth it. You deserve it. It’s not just about keeping yourself well so that you can live for other people. You deserve to stay healthy for yourself.
Be good to yourself, whoever you are and whatever you need to do.
Rachel
I'm a writer, a knitter/spinner/weaver, a young stroke survivor, and a type 2 diabetic.
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Stress managment for me ends up being zoning out on video games (lately, the ones that are repetitve and fun, like dr. mario or burger time), or watching movies or TV. I bought the matt smith and peter capaldi dr who collections and have been working my way through them to distract me when i get in bad depressive phases. it’s hard to be self pitying or dark when the doctor is around.
I’ve been playing matching games lately – Gardenscapes, Lily’s Garden, that sort of thing. Cute artwork and free to play.
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