Episode Summary
If you've ever felt extra stressed and anxious about your diabetes as the holidays approach, you're not alone! The holidays are supposed to be times full of joy and cheer, but they often bring an extra dose of stress and disruption to our T1D routines.

In this episode, host Scott Johnson sits down with Eleni Sheehan, a fellow PWD and Advanced Practice Nurse at Blue Circle Health, to talk about the emotional challenges of navigating type 1 diabetes during the holiday season.

They dive into why feeling stressed is so common, some typical sources of those feelings, dealing with difficult family members, wrestling with unrealistic expectations, and what you can do if you encounter any "diabetes police."

Because you deserve to enjoy the holiday season and feel good about your diabetes management.

What You’ll Learn

• How normal it is for the holiday season to feel stressful
• What really makes T1D so much harder to navigate during the holidays
• That we remember what we felt long after the actions we took
• Options for handling people in uncomfortable situations
• How to advocate for ourselves when needed
• Resources for mindfulness and more

Key Quotes
“It is a choice. You can decide what is most important to you at that time.” – Eleni Sheehan

“I want to feel happy and joyful! And I do... but I also get really stressed out and a bit anxious.” – Scott Johnson

"We get the opportunity to celebrate things and spend time with family and friends, but at the same time, it's something that is completely different than what we normally do." – Eleni Sheehan

Resources & Links

• 🌐 Learn more or apply to join: bluecirclehealth.org
• 💬 Follow us on social media: @bluecirclehealth on Instagram and Facebook
• 🧾 Community Partner Spotlight: DiabetesSangha – meditation and mindfulness with the T1D community