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2. Diabetes and Your Feelings23

If your partner is interested, choose a book together and discuss it. This is a great way to connect and learn.

Pamper yourself

Treat yourself to a massage, facial, or manicure. When you feel relaxed and good about your body, you will be more enthusiastic about enjoying intimacy with the one you love. The time that you spend engaging in sex-ual activity should be mutually satisfying for both you and your partner. If you don’t feel positively about yourself, it is difficult to fully enjoy the sexual experience.

Smile

Research shows that smiling, even when you don’t feel happy, can lift your mood. That’s because the act of smiling tells your brain to release endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, feel-good chemicals that help re-duce stress and can prompt you to feel more positive. Even if you are having a down day, smile. It can transform your day.

Adopt new behaviors slowly

Taking on too much at one time can be overwhelming. To add new behaviors to your life, do them in small steps. Don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t accomplish your goals right away. Most people struggle with new tasks. If you don’t achieve a goal at first, modify it to fit your life better and try again.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

—Thomas A. Edison (Brainyquote.com)

Seek professional help

If your stress comes from relationship difficulties, ask your health care team to refer you to a trained therapist who can help you work them out. Don’t become discouraged if you don’t feel comfortable with the first therapist you meet. If that happens, try another.