Take Charge of Your Thoughts

Session Focus

Taking charge of your thoughts can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

This session we will talk about:

• The difference between harmful and helpful thoughts
• How to replace harmful thoughts with helpful thoughts

You will also make a new action plan!

Tips:

Identify your harmful thoughts.

Put on the brakes.

Think helpful thoughts instead.

Anna's Story

Anna is at risk for type 2 diabetes. So she's trying to eat well and be active.

Most days, Anna walks around the park. But on Tuesday, it's raining. Anna thinks: "The weather is lousy. I'd better skip my walk today."

Anna decides to replace her harmful thought with a helpful one: "It's raining, so I'll walk in the mall instead. It will also give me the chance to run some errands."

To prevent harmful thinking:

• Make sure your Action Plan is realistic, doable, specific, and flexible.
• Have a sense of humor.
• Take care of yourself: manage stress, get enough sleep, eat right, and stay active.
• Keep things in perspective.
• Be around people who practice helpful thinking.
• Celebrate and reward your progress.

3 Steps to Replace Harmful Thoughts with Helpful Thoughts

1 . Identify your harmful thoughts. What thoughts get in the way of your eating and fitness goals?

2. Put on the brakes. Some people like to picture a big red stop sign. Others like to imagine the sound of a car slamming on its brakes, or the word "Stop!" How can you put the brakes on your harmful thoughts?

3. Think helpful thoughts instead. What helpful thoughts could you replace your harmful thoughts with?

Replace Harmful Thoughts with Helpful Thoughts

Here are some ways to replace harmful thoughts with helpful thoughts.