#PINNED: Practice these 3 steps to prevent and manage diabetes

#Pinned makes it easier for young Filipinos to discover meaningful and enriching content and stories that will help them separate music from the noise, wheat from the chaff, and flowers from the weeds.

All our stories are written by young creatives who made it their life mission to know everything there is to know about how fellow young adults can make the most out of their limited downtime every day, every week.

We think that it is time for a lifestyle change. Looking at our eating habits and daily activities, we are a bit worried about developing diabetes.

Did you know that diabetes knows no age and has even spiked during the pandemic among children? Live mindfully by looking after yourself and your kids; by learning more about preventing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the build-up of sugar in the bloodstream. The more sugar you take in, the harder it is for insulin to transport glucose in your system. Its symptoms are changes we may not even notice over time.

• Excessive hunger
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss

There are ways to prevent diabetes before it starts. And managing this long-term condition can be as simple as one, two, three. Here are three fuss-free activities you can start incorporating into your daily routine.

1. Take time to be physically active

Clear your mind by starting your day with a long run. How about slowing down with a calming session of yoga to stretch all the tension accumulated in your body.

Exercising has a lot of benefits. It boosts your energy and gives you that much-needed sweat break. Most importantly, not only does it promote weight loss, but it lowers your blood sugar—boosting your sensitivity to insulin, keeping your blood sugar at the right level.

It will only take 30 minutes of your time, and you can progress as you go along. Before you know it, your body will be thanking you for being in top shape!

2. Create healthier eating habits

We used to be about dieting and making sure to look as skinny as our favorite models, but that does not work anymore and is definitely not healthy.

It is also time to cut back on your sugar intake??—those midnight cake cravings and chip snacking trips to the kitchen.

Come up with a diet plan with a licensed nutritionist to make sure that you eat the right proportions from different food groups. Choose foods that are:

• Low in calories, saturated fats, trans fat, sugar, and salt.
• High in fiber, which will also help you “go”
• A better snack and carbohydrate substitute like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Low-fat, especially dairy products

3. Try to live stress-free

We know that this is nearly impossible, but you can always try! It is difficult to not always be on your toes with a busy schedule as you accomplish one task after another.

Do not forget that stress can increase your blood sugar, so make sure to develop an effective plan that can keep you relaxed all throughout the day.

Light your favorite candle and take a few minutes to meditate and recenter your priorities. Turn up the volume as you listen to your favorite music while having a warm cup of joe.

Who knew that how to prevent and manage diabetes can actually be therapeutic? It is simply about thinking twice about your actions and making lifestyle changes that do not have to be drastic.

Now, how are you going to make use of these three steps?

---

Aimee Lontok is a writer who got her bachelor of arts degree in journalism. She is passionate about discovering the secret gems of fashion, travel, food, art and culture—with the hope that sharing these stories will provide any reader an escape from reality.