dLife Bookshelf

reproduced with permission from Real-Life Guide to Diabetes: Practical Answers to Your Diabetes Problems (2009, American Diabetes Association)

Find Support Groups On and Offline

Today diabetes support groups are available both locally and globally via the Internet. Local support groups are usually available through a diabetes education program [also check out: How to Find a Diabetes Educator or Diabetes Education Programs]. Support groups may also be available through your local ADA office or other local diabetes organizations. Typically, support groups are free or only charge a small fee.

The availability of the Internet has opened up communication between people globally. You'll find diabetes blogs, social networking opportunities, chatrooms, message boards, and more. You'll also have opportunities to stay up to date with e-newsletters and more. For starters, connect through the ADA at www.diabetes.org. If you like what you see, you may want to consider becoming a member. ADA membership includes 12 monthly issues of ADA's magazine for people with and affected by diabetes, Diabetes Forecast; a discount on all ADA books and cookbooks; and a network of diabetes support and information that will help you stay up to date on new diabetes research and get you connected to other people with diabetes.



Tips + Tactics: Find Your Healthy Ways to Cope

People cope with the stress and strains of life in varied ways. Research shows the more you put healthy coping skills into practice, the better you'll care for your diabetes.

The activities you can engage in to cope healthfully are endless. If you are on a search, give some of the options below a try.

• chatting with a friend or close relative
• seeing a silly movie
• an early morning, lunch time, or late evening walk
• reading a pleasure book
• going to a gym
• schedule a massage
• joining a book club
• learning and playing a musical instrument
• attending a religious service or event
• volunteering in schools, a homeless shelter, or for others in need
• cooking a gourmet meal
• traveling
• visiting a museum or exhibit

This material is from Real-Life Guide to Diabetes: Practical Answers to Your Diabetes Problems (excerpted with permission from the American Diabetes Association) by Hope Warshaw and Joy Pape. For more information or to order this book, please visit http://www.diabetes.org