Most of us know that eating well and being physically active are part of a healthy lifestyle. But, for the nearly 24 million Americans with diabetes, these activities are just part of the self-care routine necessary to live a healthy life.

Healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medication, problem solving, reducing risks and healthy coping are all components of successful diabetes self-management. The American Association of Diabetes Educators developed the AADE7™ Self-Care Behaviors to help people with diabetes understand the different elements of self-care.

Many people with diabetes feel overwhelmed when they try to take good care of themselves, but it is important to remember that:

• You’re not alone in your diabetes self-care.
• Partners can help. A diabetes care team, consisting of your doctors, diabetes educators, other health care professionals and your family and friends, can be your partners in care and offer support and guidance along the way.
• You can set and achieve diabetes self-care goals. There are seven self-care behaviors that can help you manage your diabetes. Working with your diabetes care team will help you determine how to fit them into your life.

Find out how you can work side by side with your diabetes care team and how family and friends can help.