Incorporating Mind-body Skills With Diabetes Education in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of mind-body medicine is to use conscious thoughts and actions to positively impact autonomic responses from the brain as well as coping mechanisms for life's stresses. Examples of mind-body skills include deep breathing exercises, meditation, drawing, guided imagery, journaling, affirmations, and biofeedback.

When children and adolescents are diagnosed with diabetes, education is typically focused on the parents; as our older adolescents prepare to transition to adult care with full responsibility of their health, the goal of short education sessions is to review the basics of T1D along with addressing each individual's needs and questions as they make this transition.