8 Tips for Managing Diabetes in the Winter

The Winter Brings New Challenges

Winter is fast approaching, and it's essential to be aware of how the colder weather can affect your diabetes management. Here are eight ways to better manage your diabetes during the winter season.

1. Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to forget to drink water when it is cold outside, so make sure you stay hydrated throughout the winter months. Dehydration can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels, so make sure you drink plenty of fluids. One trick that many find effective is to carry a thermos of warm water with you. It’s a great way to not only stay hydrated, but also warm yourself up when you catch a chill.

 

 

2. Pay attention to your feet

Cold weather can be rough on your circulation, so it’s extremely important to keep an eye on your extremities for signs of damage, especially your feet and toes. If you notice anything strange such as blisters, lesions, numbness, or sores, seek immediate medical attention. Use moisturizer on your feet everywhere except for between your toes to prevent infection.

When dressing for cold weather, make sure you layer up and wear warm socks and water proof shoes to keep your body temperature regulated. Keep extra layers around too, just in case you need them later on in the day.

3. Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels Carefully

In colder temperatures, blood sugar levels tend to fluctuate more frequently than usual, so make sure to monitor your blood sugar regularly and watch out for any sudden changes that may occur due to the weather.

4. Eat Healthy Foods

Eating healthy foods is always important for managing diabetes, but especially during colder months when our bodies require more energy than usual just to stay warm. This is extra important during the holiday season, where many of the traditional foods are extremely high in sugar, starch, and other carbohydrates. It’s also recommended that you limit your intake of alcohol. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as other nutritious foods like nuts and whole grains throughout the winter season so that you maintain a positive A1C reading throughout.

5. Exercise Regularly

Exercise helps manage blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and promoting better circulation—both of which are key elements for managing diabetes in colder weather conditions. Try exercising indoors if possible or bundle up if exercising outdoors!

6. Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can lead to an increase in stress hormones which can then lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, so make sure you get enough sleep every night. A good night’s rest will help ensure that your body stays regulated throughout the day and night, no matter what the temperature outside may be doing.

7. Warm your hands before testing blood sugar levels

Cold weather can cause your BGM to not function properly, and most will be completely useless in temperatures under 40 degrees. Likewise, if your hands and fingers are cold, you are unlikely to get a satisfactory reading from your monitor. Wash your hands with warm water and try them thoroughly before you test. It’s important to always get accurate readings, so make sure you warm your hands up first.

 

8. Keep yourself safe from COVID-19

Winter is cold and flu season, but these days, there’s a lot more to look out for than that. According to research, people with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms from COVID-19 and subsequently be hospitalized. Even if you are fully vaccinated and boosted, wear a well-fitting mask in public and avoid unnecessary contact with other people for whom you are unsure of their vaccination status.

Winter can be a trying time for people with diabetes, but as with any other time of year, there are always lifestyle choices that you can make to safely manage the disease. If you’d like to learn more about wintertime diabetes safety tips or about how technological advancements in treatment options can help you live a more active and fulfilling life, please don’t hesitate to reach out!