Blog - Diabetes News
Diabetes Awareness Week 2023: Dexcom Puppy Yoga
To celebrate Diabetes Awareness Week this year we invited our community of Dexcom Warriors to take part in Puppy Yoga, putting their best foot forward to strike a Dexcom Warrior pose. This event highlighted the important connection between diabetes, physical health and mental wellbeing.
And where do the puppies fit in? Many people living with diabetes, including Warrior Roxy Horner*, have found strength and companionship in their fluffy friends. We brought these themes together to host a successful event to bring awareness to diabetes.
What is Diabetes Awareness Week?
Diabetes Awareness Week is an annual initiative that’s dedicated to raising awareness for people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the UK. In 2023, it took place between the 12th and 18th June, with our event being hosted on the 17th. For Diabetes Awareness Week, Dexcom wanted to celebrate the diabetes community and educate the broader public around the condition, as well as the struggles that go along with it, such as mental health and wellbeing.
Diabetes and mental health
There are some staggering statistics out there when it comes to diabetes and mental health. According to Diabetes UK, people with diabetes experience disproportionately high rates of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.1
Yoga, meditation and mindfulness have been shown to not only reduce stress and enhance overall mental wellbeing, but also to improve glycaemic control and reduce blood sugar levels.2,3,4
This Diabetes Awareness Week, we wanted to celebrate the diabetes community – their strength and resilience – and also educate the broader public around the condition (and the struggles that go along with it). To do this, we conducted a survey to support the mental health angle, proving compelling statistics and real-life Warrior stories.
Did you know that 84% of people agree that having diabetes can negatively impact mental health?5
Diabetes and dogs
Dog ownership has also been associated with mental well-being6 as well as a sense of companionship through troubling times. Many of our Warriors are dog owners and have credited their fluffy friends as a source of love and support through their diabetes journey. Interestingly, studies have shown that there’s an association between pet ownership and glycaemic control in youths with type 1 diabetes.7
Have you heard about hypo-alert dogs? A hypo-alert dog is a medical alert assistance dog specifically trained to identify changes in their owner’s blood sugar levels. They may prevent incidents that could result in potentially fatal hypoglycaemia, however the effectiveness of diabetes assistance dogs is still up for debate.8 Clearly, dogs truly are a ‘man’s best friend’.
Dexcom diary: a diagnosis story
At first glance, it might not seem like there is an immediate connection between diabetes and your fluffy friends. But when you're struggling with diabetes and mental health, a dog can be a great source of support!
Roxy Horner* was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes right before her 30th birthday. Ahead of her diagnosis, she suffered with symptoms unknowingly for years and confessed during the worst of it she "felt like she was dying." A similar experience for many living with diabetes, Roxy Horner* struggled with her mental health post diagnosis wrapping her head around the condition and a new way of life.
The week Roxy was diagnosed, she adopted Coco, her Cavapoo. In an interview with Marie Claire UK she shared, "Coco has been the most incredible friend and emotional support buddy. She got me through the toughest year of my life."
How we celebrated Diabetes Awareness Week
On Saturday 17th June 2023, we hosted free Dexcom Puppy Yoga classes in London. Warriors were sent email invitations with options for three different classes throughout the day, and to bring a friend along who supports them. The invitation was also extended to the broader community and gave 61 members a chance to take part. Three of our Dexcom Celebrity Warriors – rugby player Henry Slade*, model Roxy Horner* and TV presenter Adam Smith* helped us co-host the event.
We encouraged the community to join us and strike a pose for a purpose – a Dexcom Warrior Pose.
A fun yet relaxing time was had by all, highlighting the importance of physical and mental health in managing conditions like diabetes.2,3,4 Puppies joined the class in the second half for a double dose of endorphins. There were smiles all round, showing the positive impact that animals have on wellbeing.
“Sometimes living with diabetes can be ruff, but our community is strong”
Warriors (and the broader community) shared content before, during and after the event on social media, using the hashtag #DexcomWarriorPose. This brought more awareness to the condition during Diabetes Awareness Week.
Join the Warrior community
While we celebrate Diabetes Awareness Week in June of each year in the UK, CGM technology, such as Dexcom CGM Systems, can help you to manage your diabetes (and feel more connected) all year round. What makes Dexcom standout is our community, and the Dexcom Warrior Pose was an amazing way to foster that community and brand love.
Dexcom Warriors act as ambassadors and support for people living with diabetes. Sign up as a Warrior if you’d like to join our community and spread the message of strength and resilience.
References:
* Dexcom Warriors are paid spokespeople for Dexcom.
1 Diabetes UK. Depression and Diabetes. Accessed 10 July 2023. Diabetes.org.uk.
2 Diabetes.co.uk. Diabetes and Yoga. Accessed 10 July 2023. Diabetes.co.uk.
3 Sinha SS, et al. Effect of 6 Months of Meditation on Blood Sugar, Glycosylated Haemoglobin, and Insulin Levels in Patients of Coronary Artery Disease. National Library of Medicine. 2018;11(2):122–128.
4 Raveendran AV, et al. Therapeutic Role of Yoga in Type 2 Diabetes. National Library of Medicine. 2018;33(3):307–317.
5 Dexcom and Census wide open online survey of people living with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), conducted in the UK, H1 2023, N=1,000.
6 Merkouri A, et al. Dogs and the Good Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between the Dog–Owner Relationship and Owner Mental Wellbeing. National Library of Medicine. 2022;13:903647
7 Maranda L, et al. Association between Responsible Pet Ownership and Glycemic Control in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes. National Library of Medicine. 2016;11(4):e0152332.
8 Diabetes.co.uk. Hypo Alert Dogs. Accessed 10 July 2023. Diabetes.co.uk.
* Dexcom Warriors are paid spokespeople for Dexcom.
1 Diabetes UK. Depression and Diabetes. Accessed 10 July 2023. Diabetes.org.uk.
2 Diabetes.co.uk. Diabetes and Yoga. Accessed 10 July 2023. Diabetes.co.uk.
3 Sinha SS, et al. Effect of 6 Months of Meditation on Blood Sugar, Glycosylated Haemoglobin, and Insulin Levels in Patients of Coronary Artery Disease. National Library of Medicine. 2018;11(2):122–128.
4 Raveendran AV, et al. Therapeutic Role of Yoga in Type 2 Diabetes. National Library of Medicine. 2018;33(3):307–317.
5 Dexcom and Census wide open online survey of people living with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), conducted in the UK, H1 2023, N=1,000.
6 Merkouri A, et al. Dogs and the Good Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between the Dog–Owner Relationship and Owner Mental Wellbeing. National Library of Medicine. 2022;13:903647
7 Maranda L, et al. Association between Responsible Pet Ownership and Glycemic Control in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes. National Library of Medicine. 2016;11(4):e0152332.
8 Diabetes.co.uk. Hypo Alert Dogs. Accessed 10 July 2023. Diabetes.co.uk.
This is a sponsored article by DexCom