You are your most important ally against diabetes. Lifestyle changes can make your medications work better and help you look and feel good. Even small changes can pay off big. You can help yourself in mind, body, and spirit. Here's how: Avoid sugary drinks and foods. They can spike your blood sugar levels and make it harder to manage your diabetes. Instead, opt for water, herbal teas, and foods with low glycemic indexes. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps your body function better and can help control blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 6 to 8 glasses a day. If you're overweight or obese, losing weight can significantly improve your diabetes management. Even a 5% to 10% reduction in body weight can make a big difference. A good diet can help you lose weight and improve your health. It can make your body work better and lower your risk of complications. Eating right can boost your immune system and lower your chance of other conditions like heart disease. A healthy diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Exercise leads to good health. It helps you lose pounds, improves your mood, and fights fatigue. Talk to your doctor before you start an exercise routine. If you get the green light, start out slowly. Do 5 or 10 minutes of moderate exercise like walking. Repeat this 2 or 3 times a day. Remember the best exercise is the one you'll do. So if you hate walking but love dancing, put on your dancin' shoes! Make sure you're getting enough sleep. There's a link between poor sleep and health problems like obesity, heart disease, and mood disorders. The goal is 7 to 9 hours a night. To get more shut-eye: If you need a nap during the day, go ahead and snooze. But keep it brief, about 20 minutes. Napping more than that can mess with nighttime sleep. Some supplements can affect your diabetes management. Always tell your doctor about all vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you take to make sure they're safe. Groups, either online or in person, can be a gold mine for people with diabetes. You can learn ways to live well with the condition, discover how to manage drug side effects, and share your experiences, too. Living with diabetes and all the other demands of life can be stressful. Constant stress can affect your whole body, including your immune system. Finding a way to relax can melt away the stress. Some ways you can do this include: meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and spending time in nature. Limiting stress is key to managing any chronic disease. Learning to let things go helps with stress. My motto is if I can't control it, I just need to just walk away from it.