My Diabetes My Way: May 2022 Update

Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for May 2022.

Diabetes Week 2022
My Diabetes My Way are promoting the upcoming Diabetes Week which takes place this year between 13th and 19th June. Diabetes Week is celebrating you, the millions of people going through the same things, and everyone who is there to support you along the way.

You can read more about the campaign on the Diabetes UK website: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-week

Exercise and Activity
It's nearly summertime which means we are generally more active. Regular physical activity can help:

• lift your mood
• your general wellbeing
• your sleep pattern
• increase energy levels
• reduce stress

Everyone will have their own level of fitness and ability. Some of our resources will help you find the right amount of activity for you.
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/activity-exercise/

Diabetes UK also have some useful resources on ways to move while sitting:

Five Ways to Move While Sitting - Video

Five Ways to Move More While Sitting Down - PDF

Watch out on social media for new exercise resources coming to My Diabetes My Way soon.

One Million Step Challenge
Diabetes UK will launch their “One Million Step Challenge” in July. The aim is to get people active over three months with a target of reaching one million steps by the end of September. If you can, you'll need to take an average of at least 10,000 steps a day to reach the target. How you do them and where you do them is completely up you. Find out more at: https://step.diabetes.org.uk

To track your steps, we developed a link to Fitbit (www.fitbit.com) that allows you to add your activity tracker data to My Diabetes My Way. If you have a Fitbit device, log in to My Diabetes My Way and select “My Services”. You can then link your Fitbit account and connect your Fitbit records. When you do this, you will see a new section named “My Activity” where you can monitor your steps, heart rate and many other Fitbit measurements.

Even if you don't own a Fitbit device, you can still track your activity for free by downloading the Fitbit app on your smartphone and using Fitbit's MobileTrack function. MobileTrack lets you use the app without a Fitbit device by using your phone's sensors to track basic activity data including steps, distance, and calories burned. More information on MobileTrack can be found here: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1875

We are currently looking at options to link other wearable devices and we would be happy to hear from you if you have any further suggestions!

Experiences of Diabetes Information and Support in Scotland
My Diabetes My Way is always working to support diabetes research in Scotland, particularly when it may lead to improvements in services offered for people living with the condition. The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is seeking views from individuals with lived experience of diabetes, their families and carers.

A survey has been set up to hear what your experience has been, what your views and priorities are, and what is important to you regarding diabetes information and support. In doing so, you can help to influence Scottish Government policy which will directly impact on others with diabetes. Positive experiences will allow good practice to be shared and negative experiences will highlight areas of focus for improvement. To contribute and have your say, open the survey at the following link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AZ26WC/

Free Online Diabetes Course
MyWay Digital Health are hosting a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on ‘Understanding Type 2 diabetes' on 1st and 2nd June. The course is available to anyone, no matter where they live, and offers a supportive shared learning experience for anyone living with Type 2 diabetes and those that care for them. To book your place, please visit https://understandingtype2.mydiabetes.com/

If you are busy over the public holiday, don't worry as the course will be open until 5pm on Monday 6th June to allow you extra time. You will also receive an end of course email with a link to view the live Question and Answer session if you miss it.

My Diabetes My Way Admin
Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, it is taking us longer to collect mail, create new enrolment packs and send out registration paperwork for you to access your diabetes records. We are currently processing enrolment packs in batches every two weeks, but we are now happy for you to email us back a photo or scanned copy of your signed form to avoid any further delays.

Help and Support

If you have not yet managed to gain access to your diabetes records on My Diabetes My Way, or would like an update on the status of your registration, please let us know. You can contact us regarding any problems or request further help and support by emailing: mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot

Thank you for your continued support.