Taking Breaks and Setting Realistic Expectations with T1D
Managing Type 1 Diabetes is a non-stop job. There’s no clocking off, no weekends away from insulin injections, and certainly no “out of office” when it comes to blood sugar monitoring. Whether you’re a parent supporting your child or teenager through it or a teenager dealing with it yourself, it’s easy to feel like diabetes is taking over your life.
You check blood sugars, count carbs, adjust insulin, deal with highs and lows- all while juggling school, social life, sports and everything else. Some days, it feels manageable. Other days, it feels completely overwhelming.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be perfect.
Taking breaks (both mentally and physically) and setting realistic expectations aren’t just okay- they’re necessary. They help prevent burnout, reduce stress and make diabetes feel less like the boss of your life.
So, let’s talk about why stepping back is important, how to do it safely and why aiming for good enough is often better than chasing perfection.
Why Taking Breaks is Important
Living with T1D means constantly thinking about numbers, food, insulin and exercise. That kind of mental workload can lead to diabetes burnout, where you feel completely fed up with managing it.
If diabetes is making you (or your child) feel stressed, anxious, or exhausted, it’s time to pause and reassess.
Signs That You (or Your Child) Need a Break
Feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by diabetes
Becoming obsessive about blood sugar numbers
Feeling like you’re failing, even when you’re doing your best
Constantly stressing about food, numbers and insulin
Struggling to enjoy everyday life because diabetes feels like it’s in control
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to find ways to ease the pressure
How to Take a Break (Without Neglecting Diabetes Care)
Taking a break doesn’t mean ignoring diabetes. It means reducing the mental load so that it doesn’t feel like diabetes is running the show 24/7.
Here are some ways to do that:
1. Use Technology to Make Life Easier
If you have a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor), rely on alarms and trends instead of checking blood sugar manually all the time.
If you use an insulin pump, explore automated insulin delivery options to reduce the mental load
Use apps to help with carb counting and meal planning instead of doing all the maths yourself
2. Let Go of the Idea of “Perfect” Blood Sugar
Blood sugar will never be perfect all the time- and that’s okay! Aim for progress, not perfection.
Focus on trends, not single numbers. A high or low reading doesn’t mean failure, it just means an adjustment is needed.
Stop the guilt cycle. No one gets it right 100% of the time- not even doctors.
3. Take a Mental Health Break
Parent: Let your child have a diabetes-free conversation- sometimes, they don’t want to talk about blood sugars!
Teens: If your levels are stable, as your parents if you can skip a blood sugar check not and then, just for a little mental relief
Take a break from social media. Comparing your diabetes management to others online can make you feel like you’re not doing enough.
4. Share the Responsibility
Parents: If your child is old enough, encourage them to take some responsibility for their diabetes (with your support). It builds confidence and reduces your stress too.
Teens: Let your parent know what you’re comfortable handling and where you still need support. It’s okay to say, “I need help with this.”
Get support from others. Whether it’s your diabetes team, friends or online groups, don’t try to do it all alone.
5. Have “Diabetes-Light” Days
You can’t take a full day off from diabetes, but you can take days where you don’t let it take centre stage. Try:
A lazy day where you keep meals simple and don’t stress over every single carb count
A treat day where food choices are relaxed- just dose insulin and enjoy!
A family outing where diabetes isn’t the focus (pack what you need but don’t let it dominate the day)
Setting Realistic Expectations
Diabetes is unpredictable. Some days, everything goes smoothly. Other days, you do everything “right” and still end up with frustrating highs and lows. That’s just how T1D works.
If you set impossible standards, you (or your child) will always feel like you’re failing. Instead, try setting realistic goals that make life easier, not harder.
Realistic Expectations for Parents
Your child’s blood sugar won’t be perfect. That’s okay- what matters is overall management
It’s okay to ask for help. Whether it’s your partner, family or diabetes team, don’t carry the burden alone
Your child still needs to be a kid. Let them enjoy birthday parties, sleepovers and treats without excessive stress.
Realistic Expectations for Teens
You don’t have to be a “perfect diabetic”- No one is! Some days will be harder than others
Ask for help when you need it. It’s not a failure- it’s just part of managing diabetes
Make space for the things you love. Diabetes is part of your life, but it doesn’t have to define you.
Final Thoughts: Be Kind to Yourself
Diabetes is tough. Whether you’re a parent managing a child’s condition or a teenager navigating diabetes yourself, remember:
You are doing your best. And that’s enough
Mistakes happen. Don’t let one high or low ruin your day
Taking a break is not failing. It’s what keeps you going
At the end of the day, diabetes is just one part of your life- not the whole thing. Taking breaks and setting realistic expectations can help you manage diabetes without letting it take over.
You’ve got this.