Mindfulness and coping mentally

Having been a type 1 for over 3 years now i've struggled constantly with the demands of 'remembering to do this' 'what will happen if I don't do that' as well as the future of living with type 1 and what this may bring. What i've not done very well is just living in the present. I have been anxious, stressed, shouted alot at my nearest and dearest and not coped very well at times, some of these things I think resonate very well with all of you, On top of this I have to work, be a mum, run a home and do all the stuff required to function as a normal family.

I know alot of these posts connect with how we feel mentally and to me that seems to be the big part of type 1 - we have the medicine and tools to handle the illness, however we don't have the mindset to cope mentally and so it seems some of us will avoid our insulin, not test and rebel, some of the posts i've responded to recently demonstrate this very well.

What if.. we all were able to cope better mentally, wouldn't that then solve some of these issues, I know it won't for everyone but it requires an open mind and a willingness to try anything. I learn't meditation a few years ago it taught me to live in the present, to do one thing at a time, to stop worrying about the future and manage my illness better, this is a free course, so no cash involved but the opportunity to start to relax more and take one thing at a time, in the course there are short meditations which may/may not help depending on your willingness but it's worth a shot if you want to cope better: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/mindfulness-wellbeing-performance/1/todo/2486

I think if you've got nothing to lose in the first place and need support then try this and see how you get on

Robinredbreast said:

Hi Juicyj, I enjoyed reading your post very much and found it very interesting, thank you.
I'm not newly diagnosed and always been a 'get on with it' person in whatever life and diabetes throws at me, but last week ending up in hospital, it shook me so much and I am finding it hard to cope with at times. My appointment with my DSN on Wednesday went well and she said not to be so hard on myself, and I am doing well, but it is so hard.
I will look at the link and try it out, take care.
Best wishes RRB

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Sorry to hear this Robin, I didn't know so sending you a very big hug and hope you're feeling better now, I really enjoy your posts, you always come across as so positive so hope this experience hasn't dented that, I am doing the course at the moment and it's taught me a few things which I hope to practice better, but felt anyone living with a chronic illness like us would benefit, as long as the mind is open then the body is willing I reckon ! Take care lovely

This course is applicable to anyone, but as I'm type 1 and tend to post on type 1 forums felt it would be worth sharing.

I think the course would benefit anyone who's suffering burnout, stress and anxiety. The whole idea is to look at daily life and work on strategies to cope better, I hope it's useful to anyone and everyone who reads this

Hi Claire,

it is hard, I was there myself 3 years ago, my diagnosis was so sudden then I was launched into this blood testing and constant injecting, I struggled massively, I think as an insulin dependent diabetic it is particularly hard to come to terms as it consumes your life and sadly there are very few around you who can really understand, particularly when you have a family to look after and suddenly you have to re-prioritise your life and put yourself first. Well on the positive side you are old enough to get on with it and young enough to have the drive and motivation to look after yourself.

The course will help it gives you focus and helps you manage the day to day care, rather than thinking this is it for life. Also don't feel alone there are lots of folk on here you can talk to, me included now