When thinking about St. Patrick’s Day, the first thing that comes to mind is often food, beer, green, and parties. For those of us living in Chicago, the day is often centered on going downtown and seeing our Chicago River colored green for this special event.

As a dietitian, I automatically think about educating those with diabetes on how to eat, drink and party healthy on this festival day. However, I am beginning to realize a bigger picture here. Same as with an iceberg, we only see the top of the ice above the water; what is visibly missing is the big mountain that is below the water, the foundation of it all that is not visible to us. 

The same applies to St. Patrick’s Day and many other celebrations, festivals, and social gatherings that bring people together. The foundation of it all is the power of social support; being amongst others, lively discussions, laughing and having fun is what sets a foundation and storage of joy needed to deal later with diabetes. When people can be “themselves” instead of “patients”, allowing their true beings to come through, the enhancement in psychological well-being creates feelings of relaxation and confidence that is later needed to focus on a needed disease management.  But on St. Patrick's Day, when we are all standing there wearing green and looking at the river turn green, we feel united in a universal power of having fun and celebration.

As for people with diabetes (PWD), the celebration of their successes should be a continued routine. For all of the self-care management that these strong individuals need to do on a daily basis, such as checking their blood glucose, eating right, exercising, taking medications, and symptom management – there are plenty of reasons to celebrate, even just for the act of doing it. Even though the results might not always be desirable, the effort put into the act of trying is the same as for doing. So, all of it counts as a success!

PWD are in a position to find a pot of gold without the need to capture a leprechaun. The pot of gold is the ability to be in charge of their diabetes, because the power of its management is in their own hands. PWD can be as healthy as those without the condition. In many ways, they are even healthier, as managing diabetes is all about exercising a healthy lifestyle - the same as those who are considered to be the healthy ones.

The rainbow of many colors is the celebration we need to see when we reflect back on many colors of success. Each PWD tasks might be the same, but the way they are going about it is different. In their own pace, attitude, and time. In the end, what matters is knowing that there is a meaning to each thing that we do, regardless of its perceived importance. There is significant meaning in the simplicity and joy of daily tasks that later add up to positive outcomes.

Here are five items to create regular “St. Patrick’s” moments in diabetes management:

1. Be mindful and present in every moment -- you have control of what is happening “now”, and those small things are significant; they build up and contribute to the overall glucose control results.  
2. Have gratitude and positive attitude. When we see things negatively, we verbalize them accordingly and create a negative reality. Our words shape our reality – stating things like “I can” versus “I cannot” can make all of the difference in creating an attitude of change and action.
3. Surround yourself with happy people as positive energy from others is contagious.
4. Be honest with yourself and others as this is the most accurate way to live life as you.
5. See challenges as opportunities to become a better you.

In conclusion, what does St. Patrick’s Day have to do with diabetes care? It is an opportunity to have fun and celebrate yourself without thinking of yourself as a patient, but a healthy person who enjoys life!

What are your strategies in creating reasons to celebrate and bring happiness and joy to everyday life?