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2. Diabetes and Your Feelings27

feels a particular way that may not be correct. If your weight makes cer-tain sexual positions less comfortable, be creative and try different ones. There are numerous books that can provide you with a wealth of differ-ent sexual options, including the old classic, The Joy of Sex by Alex Com-fort. Be creative!

Adopt a positive attitude

Surprisingly, many people feel thankful that diabetes is now part of their lives. Before their diagnosis, they were sedentary, made poor food choices, were overweight, and felt sluggish and unmotivated. Once diabetes came on the scene, they took better care of themselves, improved their health, and felt better . . . even in the bedroom. You may not be able to find anything posi-tive about your diabetes right now, but taking a more a positive attitude can alter how you respond to problems that arise.

According to expert Carol Dweck, PhD, each of us approaches chal-lenges with either a fixed mindset or growth mindset. Those with fixed mindsets see the problems in their lives as obstacles that prevent them from living their lives well. They struggle and don’t anticipate future problems, which makes new issues even more upsetting. Those with a growth mindset embrace challenges. They see them as tools that help them grow and become more resilient.

Here are tips on how to adopt a more positive attitude:

Don’t take problems personally. Everyone has challenges they must handle.

Don’t berate yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Perfection isn’t possible.

When a problem arises, ask the following:

What can I learn from this?

How can I approach this better?

How can I help my loved one handle this better?

Recognize when you succeed and congratulate yourself. If desired, make a list of new skills you develop, review it occasionally, and feel proud.