TIPS FOR Navigating the Holidays

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here! Because food and celebrations are plentiful, holiday time may wreak havoc with your usual schedule and potentially affect your daily diabetes management. Social gatherings (both online or in-person), shopping, gift giving and traditional holiday fare are a lot to juggle. From Halloween to New Year’s Day, we seem to have endless to-do lists added to our typical daily activities. If you feel overwhelmed or disorganized during the holiday season, you’re not alone.

But not to worry—there are ways to navigate the festivities while maintaining your health and sanity. Try these tips and strategies to boost your mood and guide you through the holiday season.

Ground yourself with gratitude.

Shelby Kinnaird, host of has been thriving with type 2 diabetes for over 21 years. Kinnaird shares, “As a busy person, I find it’s extremely helpful to ground myself with gratitude. Every morning, I partake in a five-minute grateful journal [exercise]. I write down three things I’m grateful for and three ideas for an awesome day ahead. Before bed, I write down three memorable moments of that day. Try it! It will help keep you focused, motivated and positive amid the chaos of the holidays.”