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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • Jan. 14, 2011

    Take me away

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

1 comment posted

Controlling Your Diabetes

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It's 2011, and we're all likely thinking about how we'll approach this new year. Are you thinking about cleaning up your act to make up for some of the overindulging or backsliding you did over the holiday season? Wouldn't it be nice if you could be a celebrity and have a private cook and personal trainer to get you back on track with your diabetes management? Better yet, what if there was a spa you could escape to where you could lose a few pounds, start an exercise program, eat a healthy diet and avoid any mental stress?

I did an Internet search on "diabetes spas" to see if such a thing exists. Five spas appeared on my initial search. Of course, they were located in lush, tropical locations. And they provided trained experts from the top medical schools, as well as nutritionists, behaviorists, exercise physiologists, and complementary practitioners — comprehensive care in the lap of luxury. Dream on — for many of us this is not an option. But the idea of pampering ourselves a little is not a bad one.

How can we pamper ourselves as we sit in the house watching the snow accumulate to well over 30 inches? Remember, the Mayo Clinic, Rochester is in Minnesota, and we live this.

Some of my ideas for such rest, relaxation and renewal include:

  • Gather a group of friends for a spa-day at home or do one on your own
  • Set up a spa environment — robe and slippers, soothing background music, exercise clothes, body scrubs, facials, candles, and pedicures or manicures
  • Get a body massage — some therapists will even come to your home
  • Get a foot massage
  • Plan an exercise for the day, such as a group walk, using home exercise equipment, if available, or dancing to some favorite music
  • Plan a healthy meal, and have healthy snacks available
  • Have fun with friends, family or both — talk and laugh
  • Discuss and share articles or books on health and wellness

Remember, a spa-day is to extend love and kindness to yourself.

Your ideas?

Nancy

1 comment posted

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  • January 15, 2011 2:45 p.m.

    C'mon Rochester: you can get more inspired! Here are a few of my self-pampering tricks. Make a pitcher of Orange-Cucumber-infused water: add several slices of orange and cuke to a pitcher & refrigerate a couple of hours. Treat yourself to some out-of-season fruit: berries, melon slices. Or try something new: Asian Pear! Bundle up and enjoy a great walk in the snow, maybe along a river or through the woods. Come home to a warm bath. Rub your feet with some lotion. Put on your coziest lounge wear & have a relaxing read on the sofa.

    - Deborah

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