Feel better in 5

Big changes start with simple steps. Try these ideas to help improve your wellbeing

1 BREATHE BETTER

A study published in Diabetes Care found adults with type 1 or 2 are 8 per cent more likely to have asthma, and nearly twice as likely to be hospitalised for pneumonia. Although scientists are delving deeper to better understand the connection between diabetes and lung health, some studies suggest an increase in

BGLs and/or inflammation in the body decreases lung capacity and function.

With May being Lung Health

Awareness Month, here are some quick and easy ideas for better lung health:

• Quit smoking.

• Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

• Monitor air quality, and avoid exposure to pollutants and smoke. Use an Air Quality phone app to monitor the air around you.

• Have vaccinations and maintain hygiene to protect against influenza and pneumonia. • Do a 2-minute Online Lung Health Check at lungfoundation.com.au.

2 MOVEMENT MEDITATION

We understand that meditation isn’t for everyone, but what if you could do it without intentionally doing it? The hula hoop is making a comeback, for more positive reasons than your inner child can handle. Not only is it getting those hips swinging, but it is the perfect exercise to challenge your abdominal muscles, forearms, biceps, gluteals and, well… all those leg muscles! As it puts so many muscles into practice, the hula hoop

helps to improve your balance, raise your heart rate and burn calories. Even more, as you become so focused on not letting the hoop drop, you find yourself no longer thinking about those everyday struggles that your mind fixates on – win, win!

There are classes across the nation that you can attend, with many studios and instructors catering for children right through to those who are aged 60+. Rather do this in the comfort of your own home? No dramas: grab a hoop that stands from your belly button to the tips of your toes, put on some good music – or tune into an online tutorial on YouTube – and get your hula on!

3 BURNING OUT?

Do you ever have those moments where you just don’t want to manage, or live with, diabetes anymore?

You’re not alone. Chronic illnesses have often been described as like running a marathon: even some of the most elite athletes collapse at the finish line as they’ve exhausted their energy levels. Likewise, being constantly switched on and thinking about your diabetes without a break means it is only a matter of time before it takes an emotional and psychological toll on your body.

Diabetes burnout is unavoidable, but there are things you can do to address burnout and minimise the effect it may take on your life:

• Try mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation or deep-breathing exercises to help balance your mind and keep you grounded.

• Practice self-care by introducing positive self-talk and self-compassion into your daily routine, and admitting that sometimes diabetes is out of your control, but you’re doing the best you can. • Talk to someone – be it a professional, someone you trust or a fellow person with diabetes. Sometimes getting it off your chest is all you need.

• Lastly, make time for you. Whether it’s attending a dance or pottery class, reading a book or completing a puzzle, do something that makes you happy and takes your mind off things. ➤

4 PROTECT YOURSELF

Winter is right around the corner, so now’s the time to get vaccinated. As people living with diabetes are three times more likely to be hospitalised from the flu, it is important that you and your entire family get vaccinated from influenza; after all, it just takes one cough or sneeze for a contagious virus to spread from one person to another.

Before you get vaccinated, talk to your healthcare team about the effects the influenza vaccine may have on your diabetes management. Further, ensure you discuss the best actions you should take when you become sick.

5 SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR PHONE

As the smartphone has become an extension of our hand, a recent survey found Aussies are spending 10.2 hours a day using interactive digital technology. Another study by Swedish researchers found a heavy use of technology has been linked with increased stress levels and sleeping issues. Further studies by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine and the National Institute of Mental Health, respectively, found heavy social media users are twice as likely to experience social isolation, and are more likely to suffer depression. And a study dubbed ‘The Facebook Experiment’ by

Denmark’s Happiness Research Institute concluded those who abandoned Facebook for just one week were happier, more decisive and enthusiastic, and less worried, lonely and stressed, compare with their counterparts.

If this is enough to get you to quit your phone and/or social media, try leaving your phone at home, remove social media apps or limit your scrolling. A little detox will help you feel happier and more connected to the world around you.