Different jobs. Different schedules. Different challenges. Diabetes still has to fit into the workday.

There isn’t one type of “workday.”

An office employee may spend hours sitting at a computer and realize they’ve barely moved all afternoon.

A warehouse worker may be walking, lifting, and moving for an entire shift.

Someone working outdoors may spend hours in the heat.

A nurse, caregiver, restaurant employee, or retail worker may have a busy schedule where taking a break at the expected time isn’t always possible.

A driver may spend hours away from home and regular access to food, water, or diabetes supplies.

And someone working from home may have a completely different set of challenges.

Different jobs. Different routines. But diabetes still needs attention.

One of the easiest ways to make the workday less stressful is to make sure you have the supplies you may need before you start your shift.

• Emergency contact information
• Snacks
• Water
• Extra batteries or charging equipment
• Backup glucose-monitoring supplies
• Fast-acting glucose
• Medications
• Insulin pump or infusion supplies
• CGM overpatches
• CGM supplies

Depending on your diabetes management plan, that might include:

For people who use a continuous glucose monitor, your CGM can help you keep an eye on glucose levels and trends while you’re working.

Physical activity, stress, changes in your normal eating schedule, and other parts of your workday can affect glucose.

If you’re constantly moving, working outside, dealing with deadlines, or simply having an unusually stressful day, paying attention to your CGM readings and trends can help you recognize when something is changing.

And if you’re wearing a CGM during a physically demanding job, an overpatch may provide additional support for keeping your sensor secure, depending on the device and manufacturer’s recommendations.

When work gets busy, it’s easy to put yourself last.

You may skip a meal because you’re running late.

You may realize you’ve gone hours without drinking water.

You may tell yourself you’ll check your glucose “in a minute” and suddenly an hour has passed.

Those little moments can add up.

Try to build diabetes care into your normal work routine instead of treating it like one more thing you have to remember.

Keep water nearby.

Know when you’ll have an opportunity to eat.

Keep needed supplies accessible.

And follow the diabetes management plan provided by your healthcare team.

Outdoor workers have an additional challenge: temperature.

Hot weather can affect how you feel and can contribute to dehydration. Some diabetes supplies and medications also have specific storage requirements.

If you work outside, make sure you understand the storage instructions for the diabetes products and medications you use.

Don’t leave temperature-sensitive supplies sitting in a hot vehicle or direct sunlight.

And remember to stay hydrated and take appropriate breaks when your job and workplace allow.

A normal eight-hour workday can turn into ten or twelve hours.

A scheduled shift can turn into overtime.

A quick stop on the way home can turn into several hours away.

That’s why it’s smart to think beyond the exact number of hours you’re scheduled to work.

Pack for the day you might have—not just the day you expect.

Having extra supplies, medication, glucose, water, and other essentials available can give you peace of mind when your schedule changes unexpectedly.

Managing diabetes at work isn’t only physical.

There’s also the mental side of constantly remembering:

Did I bring my supplies?
Did I eat?
Did I check my glucose?
Is my sensor okay?
Did I bring enough medication?
When is my next break?
Do I have enough supplies for the rest of the week?

That’s a lot to carry while you’re also trying to do your job.

Planning ahead can remove some of that mental load.

You shouldn’t have to spend your entire workday thinking about diabetes.

The goal is to create simple habits that fit naturally into your day.

Keep your supplies organized.

Know where your backup supplies are.

Keep something for treating low glucose available if your healthcare plan calls for it.

Stay hydrated.

Pay attention to your CGM or glucose readings.

And have a plan for what you’ll do if something unexpected happens.

Small preparations can make a big difference.

This Labor Day, we’re celebrating every kind of worker.

The person behind the computer.

The person driving down the highway.

The person caring for patients.

The person stocking shelves.

The person working in a warehouse.

The person outside in the heat.

The person running a business.

The person working from home.

And everyone in between.

No matter what kind of work you do, your health matters too.

At Diabetic Supplies Inc., we understand that diabetes doesn’t only happen at home.

It happens during workdays, long shifts, busy schedules, commutes, overtime, and everything in between.

That’s why we’re here to help make staying supplied one less thing you have to worry about.

From CGM supplies and overpatches to insulin pump supplies and other diabetes products, we’re here to help you stay prepared for wherever your workday takes you.

Different jobs. Different routines. One goal: helping you stay prepared and keep moving.

This Labor Day, take a moment to recognize the work you do—and remember that taking care of yourself is part of the job, too.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider and the instructions provided with your diabetes medications and devices.