Take Control

Part of living and thriving with diabetes means being a self-manager. A self-manager takes control of their health.

Being a self-manager means you:

• know about your health problems
• make informed choices about your health
• track and manage your symptoms
• find answers and solve problems about your health

Being a self-manager will help you live longer, feel better and have less or no health problems.

Become a Self-Manager

Be a self-manager to manage your diabetes.

• Learn about diabetes.
• Track and manage your blood sugar.
• Track and manage your blood pressure.
• Track and manage your cholesterol.
• Talk to your healthcare team to get answers to your questions.

Sometimes being a self-manager means making changes. These changes will affect many areas of your life.

Changes can include:

• eating habits
• exercise habits
• sleep habits
• how you deal with stress and emotions
• taking your medicine as prescribed

These changes can impact your family, work and social life.

How to Make Changes

It takes time to become a self-manager and make changes. Follow the 3 steps below to help you make changes.

1. Define your vision. Find tips to help you define your vision »
2. Set goals. Find out how to set manageable goals »
3. Build action plans. Find out what an action plan is and how to build one »

Get Support in Becoming a Self-Manager

It is not always easy to become a self-manager and make changes in your life. You are not alone. Many people will help you become a self-manager. They can support you with your changes.

Talk to the people below for help:

• family doctor
• diabetes doctor (endocrinologist)
• pharmacist
• diabetes education team (such as a nurse and a dietitian)
• exercise specialist
• social worker or psychologist
• family and friends
• other people living with diabetes