Get out of Diabetes burn out

Dr. Sripriya Shaji

Burnout arises when we're overworked, overtaxed emotionally, physically exhausted or unwell, and often unable to cope with everyday situations. Trying to achieve that perfect balance between family and work life is hard enough; throw in the demands of living with and managing a chronic medical condition,
And it’s not surprising that you get burnout, when your doctor points the numbers in the investigation profile and says you need work on diet and exercise.

When we become truly burned out, it's time to take stock and make changes.

Let’s take inventory of the situation.

Accept the fact that burnout is a time of self-evaluation and change. Just as you would treat a physical illness with rest and restriction of activities, cut back as much as you can on commitments and responsibilities for a time and allow yourself to "treat" this emotional and mental exhaustion. AADE recommends these 7 strategies as Self-care behaviors

* Healthy eating
* Being active
* Monitoring
* Taking medicines
* Problem solving
* Reducing risk and
* Healthy coping

Diabetes Diet – No doubt it is frustrating to count on every rice you eat. But why to count?
Diabetes diet just demands you to spare proper time and making nutritious choice. Plan your meal. Make yourself determined that you eat healthy food on time, without excuses.

Exercise – ADA recommends 150 minutes of walking / week. Just think can’t we spare 30 minutes a day? Can’t we keep our self active?
Monitoring – Right from the school days, we are worried about the term examination. Fails to understand, they improvise us for facing the final exams. same way the regular SMBG check up helps us to keep our blood sugar in control, which leads to better HbA1c control and over all glycaemic control.

Medications – Regular medication is as important as diet and exercise.

Problem solving, Reducing risk and Healthy coping - Try to identify those things most responsible for your present state, and ask yourself which areas are most in need of drastic change. Don't forget to take inventory of your strengths, skills, and resources, both internal and external, as well. Do you have good friends willing to lend a listening ear, family members who'll babysit, or anyone who can help you through this time? Think, too, about the inner strengths you have to fall back upon. What have you done in the past to solve similar, or other, problems?

If you need to make critical decisions concerning job or personal life, you'll be much better prepared to make healthy, sound choices when you're rested and not deep in the throes of burnout.

Alternatively, if you find that an overcrowded schedule is one of the main factors causing your burnout, you may need to pass along or delegate some of your regular commitments on a permanent basis. Accept offers of help from friends and family, and don't forget to show your gratitude. If your financial situation allows, hire someone to do household tasks or errands - or equip yourself to better self care management - or whatever seems unbearable at the moment - to give you more time for yourself.

Be good to yourself. You need plenty of rest, good nutrition, exercise, and the support of friends and/or family. Do something for yourself that gives you joy or pleasure. Read a good book or take in a film you've wanted to see. Allow your loved ones to help too, although you may have to explicitly communicate to them exactly what kind of help you need. Give yourself permission to spend the necessary time and energy to take care of yourself.