Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may feel worried, anxious or scared. It's important to remember you are not alone.

Here are a few tips to start you on the road to managing diabetes:

• Tip 1: Lose weight if you need to. Most people with Type 2 diabetes find that, as they drop extra pounds, their blood sugar improves.
• Tip 2: Get moving. Exercise can help lower blood sugars.
• Tip 3: Get educated. There are countless professionals who can work with you to help you get started with a healthier lifestyle. Enroll in a class or make an appointment to meet with a certified diabetes educator.
• Tip 4: Learn to test your blood sugar with a home blood glucose monitor. Ask your doctor about the best way to obtain one of your own.
• Tip 5: Relax and decrease your stress. Extra stress can increase your blood sugar levels. Set time aside for yourself. Go for a walk or talk to a friend. Diabetes management is a step-by-step process.