Dear Anna,
Happy April!
I know that this time of year, the mix of April showers, tax time, and spring cleaning starts to wear on me. That's why we've picked April to focus on Stress and Emotional Wellness - a subject that is SO important, but can be tricky to talk about.
We have some great tips on how to manage stress and live life to the fullest in our newsletter and on our website, here. Many of you will also be chatting about these topics in PODS Meetups this month. I encourage everyone to use the warmer weather to start spending some time outside - a natural stress reliever!
We are very busy in the DiabetesSisters office, as we're planning our 2015 Leadership Institute for later this month. We're excited about bringing together selected PODS leaders from across the country for team building and educational activities. Though we don't have any national conferences planned for 2015, we hope that this will be a wonderful way to spread the word and engage our members - you!
I hope that everyone has had a wonderful start to spring! Remember, with all of the April showers, we will soon be seeing May flowers!
Founder & CEO
25+ Triumphant (NOT Perfect!) Years with Diabetes
P.S. We received word that one of our oldest PODS Meetup Members, Emma R. Gresham, of the Keysville, GA, PODS Meetup, will be celebrating her 90th birthday on April 13th. Ms. Gresham, the former Mayor of Keysville, has been instrumental to the success of her meetup, attending regularly and contributing to the discussions of the group. Happy birthday Emma! We wish you many more years of health and happiness!
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MARCH SPOTLIGHT:
STRESS AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
We know that stress can affect blood sugar substantially -- both by releasing "stress hormones" and by changing the way we eat, how much we sleep, and our daily routine. Here are a few tips on how to manage stress, and improve your emotional wellness!
1) Use exercise as a tool: Even 30 mins of moderate exercise (think walking or riding a bike) has been shown to lower stress and stabilize blood sugar.
2) Practice gratitude: On really stressful days, it's easy to forget the little things that lifted your mood. Each night, think about your favorite part of the day, and what you're looking forward to tomorrow.
3) Breathe deeply: Inhale slowly for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and release for 8. This pattern is great for calming nerves and slowing down a pounding heart.
4) Laugh it out: Smiling and laughter are known ways to improve mood. So pop in a funny DVD, or look up cute kitten videos on YouTube -- whatever works!
For more tips and tricks, see: 10 Tips for Managing Stress and Improving Your Emotional Wellbeing
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SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR LIFE CLASS WEBINAR: DIABETES AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
May 20th: from 4:00-4:30 pm
Presented by Ginger Vieira: Personal Trainer, Record-Setting Power-lifter, and author of "Dealing with Diabetes Burnout," "Emotional Eating with Diabetes," and "Your Diabetes Science Experiment"
Ginger will cover the need-to-know details of balancing your blood sugar during exercise!
All registered will be entered to win your choice of any oneof Ginger Vieira's inspirational and informative books!
Did you miss the March webinar on Eye Disease? Find the link to the recording here!
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ADVANCED DURATION DIABETES:
REAL STORIES FROM REAL WOMEN
This month, we're featuring stories from our sisters that have lived with diabetes for over 40 years! They continue to inspire and teach us every day.
Mary Pruiett on Motherhood: "I was lucky enough to became pregnant shortly after the home-glucose monitor became available. For someone who grew up monitoring my diabetes control using urine test strips, the ability to test your blood sugar real-time and to dose insulin accordingly was miraculous. For the first time I felt confident enough to give pregnancy a try!"
Keen Bartley on Relationships: "Let all of the wonderful qualities you bring to a relationship shine - diabetes should not define you. When you're surrounded by the right people, diabetes doesn't take center stage."
Judith Jones-Ambrosini on Support: "Diabetes is something that makes those of us who live with it special people. We are disciplined, determined and responsible and often have an intuitive understanding about life that others don't need to have. Having someone to be there for us in unwavering support is a gift. I have been so lucky over the last forty years to have the best partner any Type 1 can have, my "Type 3" husband and support system."
Read the full stories of these amazing women here!
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2015 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: A WEEKEND FOR OUR PODS LEADERS
DiabetesSisters is proud to announce the 2015 Leadership Institute: April 24-26 in Raleigh, North Carolina!
The institute will help to develop the skills of 20 selected DiabetesSisters PODS Leaders nationwide. PODS (Part of DiabetesSisters) Meetups are monthly meetings that focus on Sisterhood, education, and peer support.
Our PODS Meetups have grown exponentially since 2010, with over 50 PODS Leaders in 35 locations throughout the United States! In 2014, our PODS Meetup program touched the lives of over 1,000 women living with diabetes!
The first Leadership Institute class includes: Barbara Hunt, Cele Flanary, Cindy Campaniello, Connie Hanham-Cain, Daphene Kimball, Diane Bajalia, Erika Armani, Gail Nurnberg, Gayle McKenna, Jane Dyson, Jo-Nette Boyd, Julie Wilson, Karen Graffeo, Karen Rose Tank, Kelli Turner, Libby Brown, Lori Renee, Robin Wright, Sarah MacLeod, and Sondra Bennett
Speakers include Diana Naranjo, PhD, Sue Kirkman, MD, Clara Schneider, MS, RD, RN, CDE, LDN, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDE. Topics include Best Practices for Moderating and Facilitating a Successful PODS Meetup, Innovations in Diabetes, Diabetes and Intimacy and Diabetes 201: Ask the CDE. Leaders will also have the opportunity to share their best practices, participate in group discussions and provide stakeholder input on the future direction of DiabetesSisters.
Are YOU interested in attending a PODS Meetup in your town? How about leading one? Email us atinfo@diabetessisters.org for more information!
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sisterTALK Blogs
Explore tips from our experts and stories from women like you who live with diabetes. Get connected, then join the discussion.
ask the cde
nutrition
type 1
type 2
pregnancy/motherhood
SisterSTAFF
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Chattanooga, TN
April 2, 6:30 p.m.
Colonie, NY
April 8, 6:30 p.m.
Princeton, NJ
April 8, 7 p.m.
Kern County, CA
April 9, 6 p.m.
Rochester, NY
April 9, 6 p.m.
Ashland, MA
April 9, 6 p.m.
Durham, NC
April 9, 6:30 p.m.
Greater Philadelphia, PA
April 9, 7 p.m.
Oradell, NJ
April 14, 6:30 p.m.
Clifton Park, NY
April 14, 6:30 p.m.
Boston, MA
April 15, 7 p.m.
East Greenbush, NY
April 16, 6:30 p.m.
VIRTUAL PODS
April 16, 8 p.m.
Lafayette, IN
April 21, 6 p.m.
Reno, NV
April 21, 7 p.m.
Greensboro, NC
April 21, 6 p.m.
Woodbridge, NJ
April 22, 7 p.m.
Austin, TX
April 23, 7 p.m.
Keysville, GA
April 26, 2:30 p.m.
Denver, CO
April 28, 6:30 p.m.
Would you like to participate in our Virtual PODS Meetup?
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YOUR TESTIMONIALS
On Meeting Personal Goals:
"I just wanted to share with you the fabulous news that my A1C is 7.0. My doctor wants me to be lower, but at least this is a wonderful start for me! Thanks for your support!"
On DS Conferences:
"Cutting edge info!"
On Sisterhood:
"I am honored to have taken part in creating a space where we all feel safe to share, unload, support and learn."
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NOW AVAILABLE:
A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO DIABETES
DiabetesSisters' Founder, Brandy Barnes, MSW, and 2010 winner of CBS'
The Amazing Race
Natalie Strand, MD, have joined forces to co-author a book written just for YOU - women with diabetes.
Purchase your copy
TODAY:
(or in bookstores nationwide)
written by Amy Tenderich of Diabetes Mine
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DiabetesSisters helps to connect women living with diabetes through peer support, education, and advocacy that improves their health and quality of life. We invite you to be part of expanding that network of sisterhood and strength by joining our new Sister Strength Monthly Giving program.
Set up your monthly gift today: Together we will build a stronger future for women with diabetes!
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