Five years ago, diabetes changed my life, not just in the ways you might think. It’s taught me invaluable lessons about health, happiness, and resilience. Here are three life-changing insights I’ve gained from my journey with diabetes.

Sugar Impacts Your Brain

As someone managing diabetes, understanding sugar’s impact goes beyond just managing blood sugar levels—it’s about protecting my brain health. Eating too much sugar can damage your brain, increasing the risk of depression or diseases like Alzheimer’s (sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes). It’s crucial to monitor sugar intake for physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. This isn’t just about avoiding sweets; it’s about preserving mental health and cognitive abilities. A great documentary that expanded my understanding is Sugar Coated, which delves into the sugar industry’s secrets and its influence on public opinion. This eye-opening documentary is insightful and will inform you on how some industries do everything they can to make you adopt some lifestyles, even if it is detrimental to your health.

Sleep is Essential 

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead” – this might be one of the silliest things I ever believed. Living by this motto, I realized, was a fast track to poor health. Sleep is a foundational pillar of health. Just a few days of sleep deprivation can significantly impair cognitive function, mood, and overall physical health. Sleep is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for our bodies to function optimally. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is an enlightening read that dives into the critical role of sleep in our lives, influencing everything from our mood and energy levels to preventing various health conditions.

Be Grateful For What You Have

Life’s unpredictability has taught me to appreciate what I have. What’s here today might be gone tomorrow. Being grateful, letting go of what’s beyond my control, and taking action on what I can have made me happier, stronger, and wiser. Eckhart Tolle’s insightful book The Power of Now helped me embrace this mindset. It emphasizes living in the present and appreciating our current blessings instead of constantly seeking more.

For anyone looking to explore further how lifestyle impacts health, I highly recommend Mind Over Medicine by Lissa Rankin. This book offers profound insights into the powerful connection between our minds and bodies and how our thoughts and choices can significantly influence our health.

My journey with diabetes hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly enlightening. These lessons aren’t just for those with a health condition; they’re universal truths that can benefit us all.