Living with type 2 diabetes can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to stop you from living the life you love.

Here are 10 daily health tips that you can put into practice to make managing your type 2 diabetes that much easier in the long run. Forming healthy habits now can make a difference!

#1 Eat Right

Your blood sugars will naturally rise after you eat a meal or have a sugary drink, but unhealthy foods like refined carbohydrates can cause glucose spikes in your body. Eating a balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products can help regulate your blood glucose levels and keep your whole body working as it’s supposed to.

#2 Eat Regularly

Eating a few small meals rather than a couple of big ones has been shown to reduce blood glucose spikes and increase weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and those without it.

#3 Hit the Gym

You may not have a regular exercise routine, but even getting just 30 minutes of exercise could make a big difference in your overall health.

#4 Check Blood Glucose

Check with your doctor to set up a schedule of how often you should be checking your blood glucose levels. You should know what too high, and too low levels look like as well as when you should call your doctor in case your blood glucose levels become a problem.

#5 Take Medication

If you have been prescribed medication to help manage your type 2 diabetes, take it as instructed. Missing a few days of a pill or taking it at the wrong time might not seem like a big deal, but not taking your medication regularly can be harmful.

#6 Stay In Touch

Following up with new research in the field of type 2 diabetes can help you understand better what your body is going through, and what new information has come out about the disease.

#7 Manage Symptoms

Not only is managing the symptoms of diabetes important, but knowing the warning signs of complications related to diabetes is as well. Conditions like depression, anxiety, heart disease, and other physical ailments can be complications from diabetes.

#8 Prevention

People who have diabetes have a higher risk of developing sores and other major issues related to their feet, which should be inspected regularly in case of accidental injury.

#9 Create Community

Speak to other people with diabetes about their experiences and get your friends and family involved. Having a supportive community can give you a strong foundation and helping hands if you need them.

#10 Protect Yourself

Items like a diabetes medical card or medical bracelet can let people know in an emergency that you have diabetes. If you are unable to speak, this could be extremely helpful to a medical professional.