October 10th is World Mental Health Day to raise awareness about mental health issues around the globe. Your mental health affects so many factors of your daily life and if you’re stressed or just not feeling yourself, it can be even harder to manage your diabetes.
According to the CDC, people with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes and only 25% to 50% of diabetics who have depression get diagnosed and treated.
Your mental health has a direct effect on your diabetes. This may be in the form of depression, stress and anxiety or diabetes distress which is discouragement or feeling frustrated with your daily diabetes care. Learn more from the CDC here.
Make your mental health a priority every single day! Take time for you – do something you enjoy, go and workout at the gym or go for a run, read a book. Make sure you’re getting your sleep. Take time away from technology and focus on those around you. Spend time with your friends and family and don’t forget to laugh. Most importantly, remember to smile and treat others with kindness! We’re all in this together and we can live a full life with no limits. Let’s do it!