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10 Diabetes hacks to make YOUR life easy!
10 Diabetes hacks to make YOUR life easy!
Hey friends!
For those of us living with diabetes, we know how hard it can be to remember everything you need to do and bring with you at all times. Today's post is full of 10 diabetes hacks to make your life EASY! Shall we start?
1 | Keep a low-blood sugar kit by your bedside!
No one enjoys a low blood sugar moment in the middle of a good night's rest. I learned this tip from my mom because she used it when I was younger - I do it to this day! I have a basket on my nightstand with my go-to easy to digest necessities such as apple juice bottles, glucose gels, my BG meter, and glucose tabs! The best part is you can customize it to what you need. Just don't forget to stock it back up as soon as you use something ;) This would definitely be one of our 10 diabetes hacks to make your life easy!
2 | Set an alarm/reminder to change your lancet!
Okay... seriously when was the last time you changed your lancet? Don't worry I won't tell anyone! I find it easier to make sure I'm changing mine regularly (your skin will thank you!) with a reminder on my phone. You can use your Google Home, Alexa, or Siri sidekick to even help!
3| Create an emergency "go-bag" ready by your door/garage!
If 2020 taught us anything, it's to always be ready in case of an emergency! I highly recommend having a gym bag or backpack with emergency items (meters, a glucagon shot, etc.), any necessary forms (doctors note, prescriptions, etc.), and a flashlight, jacket, and blanket. Keep it by your front door or in your garage for easy and quick access!
4 | Make sure your car is always equipped!
If you spend any amount of time in your car, then you'll know how important it is to always have extra supplies on you is. Maybe you forgot pen needles before leaving the house or you feel like you might be going low on your commute to work - having supplies in your car can truly be lifesaving! If you haven't read our "Diabetes Necessities to Bring On the Road" blog post, make sure to check it out here! If you need help with where to start, I'd recommend packing a little bag of alcohol swabs, extra lancets/pen needles/syringes, an extra blood glucose meter, and glucagon shot!
5 | Need help hearing your CGM alarms at night?
Okay... sometimes we're so tired we just can't wake up to our CGM alarms. If you find yourself having trouble waking up when your CGM alerts you of a high or low blood sugar, try this trick! Place your receiver or phone in a wide container or glass cup, so it's sound can be amplified! Kinda like a boombox... but for your receiver ;)
6 | Keep a waste pouch on you or in your bag!
There are so many places you can get a cute, bright-colored waste pouch to keep used lancets or test-strips in to keep your space clean - like these adorable Myabetic one's here! But if you need something ASAP in the meantime, you can always put your old test strip vial to use! Just make sure to label the vial so you don't accidentally try to use an old strip.
7 | Dress your diabetes up!
Wait, what?! Yes, let's make diabetes fun! I am a believer that diabetes feels less like a burden when you customize it to your style or presences. Whether you find a fun patterned pouch to carry your supplies in or style your blood glucose meter with your favorite stickers - you can do anything to make your diabetes more YOU!
8 | Designate a 'Diabetes Station' in your home!
Think of this 'diabetes station' as the headquarter for all things diabetes - maybe it's where you charge your devices, keep your low snacks to grab before leaving the house, leave yourself notes to re-order supplies, or anything else. Make sure your station is somewhere in your house you naturally go to, like your bedside table, the table by the front door, or your kitchen island. You can organize it anyway you like and make it a part of your daily routine!
9 | Pre-calculate and label your carb counts!
This is especially helpful for those who have younger kids, have long days at work or school, or are in a pinch in the morning! Set out snacks and pack them in reusable bags... and label them with their individual carb counts! This will help tremendously when it's time to calculate your insulin ratio. Yay for less thinking!
10 | Create a diabetes contact list!
Last but surely not least - this might be the biggest hack of them all! How many times have you had to call the pharmacy to re-order supplies or make an appointment to see your endo, but you totally forgot the number? Create a contact list by typing up important numbers and make sure it's the size of a credit-card so you can laminate it and keep it in your wallet. You could even create multiple copies to keep on the refrigerator, in the car, your kids backpack, etc.!
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So, 10 diabetes hacks to make your life easy - did you learn something new?! If you have any others we may have missed, make sure to let us know in the comments down below, we'd love to learn them. As always, make sure to check out our last blog post here and stay safe, friends!