By: Margaret Pauly, MS, RD, LD

Did you know that November is designated as National Diabetes Awareness Month? And this week the focus is on diabetes education. As a registered dietitian, I think that diabetes education has been one of the most frustrating yet fulfilling things I’ve ever done. It’s frustrating because so many people are not given any diabetes education when they are diagnosed, and it’s fulfilling when I can help a person with diabetes learn to control their disease and live a better life.

There are two organizations that focus on diabetes – the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the one most people are familiar with. My diabetes instruction mostly came from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), and I like their seven-step approach to diabetes self-care. It’s very holistic (caring for the whole person) and easy to understand. Let me briefly walk you through each of them:

Healthy Eating – It’s not about deprivation or not eating anything white as many of you have been told. It’s about knowing what affects your blood sugar and eating to support your health. As I always say, it’s about quality AND quantity.

Being Active – Did you know that a short 15-minute walk after a meal can help you control your blood sugar? It can also help with other health issues such as lowering your blood pressure or stress level.

Monitoring – Checking your blood sugar regularly helps you to know what foods raise your levels and lets you know if medication adjustments need to be made. Many people find it discouraging and stop monitoring regularly. Although it can feel more like a chore or punishment, try to think of it as an effective tool to help you control your blood sugar.

Taking Medication – Medication works with your lifestyle (healthy eating and being active) to keep you healthy. It also can reduce your risk of complications from diabetes. It’s important to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. If it doesn’t seem to be working for you, speak to your doctor.

Problem Solving – I love that AADE helps with problem solving skills – such as what to do when you have the cold or the flu, or have low blood sugar. These are important skills to know.

Reducing Risks – Yes, you have more risks than other people of developing other health issues. It’s always better to know that beforehand, right? Then you can plan better and make better choices.

Healthy Coping – Many people with diabetes struggle with depression or denial. Neither help you manage your diabetes well. It’s important to recognize when you are feeling down and to get help. You are not alone in this. Contact a mental health professional, talk with a friend or your clergy/minister to work through the times you are feeling overwhelmed or down.

Here is a link to the seven steps: https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-diabetes/aade7-self-care-behaviors .

If you struggle with controlling your diabetes, be sure to contact your doctor, certified diabetes educator or dietitian. You are not alone.

The Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is excited to present a virtual meditation sessiona featuring Patti Montella, certified teacher and best selling author of “Becoming Unshakeable.”  This session, which will compliment meditation sessions currently available on campus, are scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 31st, from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.  In addition to Ms. Montella, Natalie Cannady, Director of Wellness and Chief Wellness Officer, will discuss gethealthy.uams.edu resources during both sessions and Dr. Purushottam Thapa will discuss student wellness resources during the October 31^st session. 

Saturday, October 31st
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 981 9247 3000
Passcode: 611502
Find your local number: https://uams.zoom.us/u/arUX3noWd

Watch the full recording here!

AR-Connect 
Learn about a fantastic new service available to our employees and students who might be struggling with mental illness but unable to find a suitable provider in their community. Listen to learn about its benefits for You!

UAMS Fitness Center and Workout Break with Lindsay

Fitness Center Manager, Adam Carter will talk about Fitness Center services and Lindsay Joyce, our newly minted fitness coordinator, will lead a quick workout break you can do anywhere.

Working Through Stress with Matt Boone, LCSW 

We all carry stress, and during the pandemic, our load has increased. Matt Boone, a licensed social worker, will talk about how to lighten the load.

UAMS Auxiliary

Marcia Dunbar, volunteer coordinator from the UAMS Auxiliary, shares an exciting opportunity for ways you can contribute to their services.

Grocery Haul with Cayla-Marie Jackson, RDN 

Have you ever looked at a package label and felt lost? Registered dietitian Cayla-Marie Jackson will review some typical food products and teach us how to read labels.

Arkansas Employee Assistance Program

Our EAP has some exciting new options for employees at UAMS. Did you know that your UMR insurance covers 10 visits with an EAP professional per year? Listen to learn more!

Human Resource Updates

Join to learn about open enrollment, new convenient drop-off additions and important deadlines that affect your paycheck! DON’T Miss this!

Supportive Conversations

Do you ever just need someone to talk to? Pastoral care has created a new service for employees and students who just need to chat with someone who will understand. Tune in to learn more!

Stocked & Reddie and Cooking Demo 

Join Mande Corbett from UAMS Stocked & Reddie and Margaret Pauly, registered dietitian, as they demonstrate how to make a healthy, hearty meal.

Vision 2029

Tune in to hear a short update on our fantastic accomplishments toward our Vision 2029 goals.

Yoga for Health Care Professionals

Grab a mat or a chair and unwind with Melissa Easdon for some yoga you can do anywhere, wearing any attire. Our last class participants were so relaxed after this session!

M.O.V.E. to Emotional Wellness Tips

Join Tiffany Haynes, Ph.D., and Maria Ruvalcaba for some tips on ways to take care of yourself and your emotional well-being during these trying times.

If you are unable to make it today, the sessions above will be recorded and available on the Get Healthy UAMS website after the event.

Extras!

Online Mindfulness Sessions – The UAMS Mindfulness Program is offering daily mindfulness sessions for employees and students at noon! Tune in for a moment of calm in your busy day.

Pop-up Fitness Classes with Lindsay Joyce – The UAMS Fitness Center will be hosting pop-up Zoom classes during the month of October.

Safe Traveling Tips from UAMS & Arkansas.com – Check out this tip sheet on how to travel safely.

Questions? Email gethealthy@uams.edu

Dr. Meena, a pulmonologist at UAMS, talks with second year Medical Student Manasa Veluvolu about lung health for Healthy Lung Month!

Don’t Forget! Get Healthy UAMS and the UAMS Mindfulness Program are partnering to offer daily mindfulness sessions for employees and students.

Please join us at noon Monday – Friday

Tune in for a moment of calm in your busy day, supported by our caring wellness community at Team UAMS.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is offering the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program online starting Sept. 29. Participants learn mindfulness techniques that foster positivity, inner strength, and peace while providing useful skills for navigating difficulty, stress, illness, and pain.

Join the Step Challenge by logging your daily steps here: Steps Challenge

Steps should be logged either at the end of the day or the following morning for the duration of the challenge. Please only submit steps once per day. Weekly Challenge Winners will be announced on Fridays at noon.

In order to earn extra “steps”, tag us on social media by showing your daily step count total or contest participation, and earn an extra 50 points! Weekly challenge winners will receive 100 extra points. The winner of the Step Challenge will be announced at the UAMS Health Fair on Oct. 13^th!