Do you know that feeling? Your workday is in full swing, you're juggling emails and to-do lists, and at some point you wonder what your blood sugar is actually doing?
Sometimes it's a bit like being in a circus. With lots of juggling balls and a clown who occasionally trips over a blood sugar spike.
Here are some tips on how to manage your daily work life with diabetes without falling asleep in your chair during your lunch break.
What challenges does everyday working life bring for diabetics?
- Irregular mealtimes: Who hasn't experienced this? Your daily lunch is postponed until 3 p.m. because the meeting never seems to end, but your energy is slowly but surely waning?
- Stress: We all know how stressful our jobs can be at times. However, stress is a real blood sugar spike. Blood sugar can rise sharply during stressful situations.
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Sudden hypoglycemia: Sometimes you're so engrossed in your work that you completely forget you have diabetes! By the time the CGM system reports a low blood sugar level, it's often already too late. Your concentration has already waned, and you're forced to take a short break.
Tips to help you avoid blood sugar chaos:
1. Planning is the key to success!
Good preparation is half the battle. Plan your meals, especially for work! Meal prepping isn't just for fitness junkies; it's also key for us diabetics to avoid finding ourselves with an empty stomach and wildly fluctuating blood sugar levels during our lunch break. At the same time, it gives you a sense of security knowing that you and your blood sugar levels are taken care of.
2. The workplace is also your diabetes zone!
Your workstation is also a place where you should have all your essentials close at hand. Whether it's insulin, test strips, a hypo box, or a few snacks! Make sure everything you need to manage your blood sugar is at your workstation.
It’s best to stock up on a small supply right away!
-> Dextrose – sugar decorations
3. Breaks are for everyone
Breaks are key! We all know that work can be stressful, but try to take a short break every now and then. It's the perfect opportunity to check your blood sugar, grab a quick snack, and simply take a moment to breathe.
4. Stress reduction for blood sugar
Stress and blood sugar are a bad combination. If you notice that a day at work is really stressing you out, try to relax for a moment.
How? Try a short meditation, a breathing exercise, or simply open the window and take a deep breath of fresh air. This will also help your blood sugar!
5. Communication is key – even with diabetes
Of course, not everyone needs to know your blood sugar level the first time they meet. But it can be very helpful to inform your colleagues and boss that you have diabetes. You'll be surprised at how understanding your environment will be once they know about your diabetes.
6. Technology – the little helper in the background
Diabetes and technology are a perfect team! Use apps, reminders, and devices to stay up to date on what you need to do. CGM devices measure your blood sugar, and apps can help you remember things like when it's time for a snack. This way, you can worry less about forgetting something and focus more on your work.
Conclusion:
Managing your professional life with diabetes can be a bit of a challenge at times, but with a little planning and a few tricks, you can keep your diabetes firmly under control even in your professional life.
Stay strong, stay happy and don't forget to smile 😊 !
