Healthy habits can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes

The following content was authored with the help of Population Health team, providing programs and services that help people in Monterey County live their best lives.

COVID-19 cases are decreasing, and more of our population becomes vaccinated by the day. It’s exciting — and a little daunting — to see Monterey County opening up and all of us gaining the freedom to begin venturing out. This also may mean confronting some challenges we haven’t faced in a while.

Many of us have become accustomed to staying at home, limiting contact with anyone outside our household, and cooking more — ultimately decreasing our risk of exposure. Now, we can gather in small groups, dine outside, and, soon, even go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We have all anticipated returning to our pre-pandemic life, although none of us knew what that would truly look like.

We hope the healthy routines we created during this pandemic will stick around and the not-so-healthy ones will be left behind. Reflecting on what we want is always helpful. What habits and routines are serving us, and which ones like these are we ready to re-create in our post-pandemic lives?

• Walking and connecting with nature
• Decreasing television time or news exposure
• Talking with friends and family on the phone
• Focusing on positivity, kindness, and gratitude during the toughest of times
• Prioritizing a regular sleep routine
• Limiting alcohol use
• Practicing stress relief such as mindfulness
• Eating healthier and learning new recipes

Support, connection, and accountability are more valuable than ever — now is the perfect time to get involved in a healthy lifestyle.

And, if you are an Aspire Health Plan member, we have the resources to help you with our free online healthy lifestyle program. Aspire members will have the support of a health coach and a chance to get to know other Aspire members who may be striving toward similar goals.

This program focuses on diabetes prevention but emphasizes establishing habits that will ultimately keep you healthier, happier, and provide the opportunity to enjoy those post shelter-in-place freedoms.

Call us today to find out more information on how to enroll at (831) 644-7490, or register online through our diabetes awareness campaign website here.

It’s time we all take better care of ourselves.

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