Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
The holidays promise joy, connection, and celebration. For many adults living with type 1 diabetes, they also bring disrupted routines, emotional stress, unpredictable meals, and well-meaning but sometimes overwhelming family interactions.
At Blue Circle Health, many of us live with T1D too, and we hear versions of these experiences every day. In a recent episode of Around the Circle, host Scott Johnson sat down with Eleni Sheehan, an advanced practice nurse who lives with T1D, to talk honestly about why this season can feel so complex and what you can do to move through it with confidence and support.
Whether you’re prepping for a big family gathering, juggling travel schedules, or thinking ahead to holiday meals, this guide offers practical steps, mindset shifts, and real community wisdom to help you feel more prepared.
Why the Holidays Feel Hard With T1D
Even when you love the season, the holidays come with a perfect storm of factors that can make diabetes feel heavier:
- Routines shift. Sleep, meals, and activity levels change.
- Food choices multiply. Traditional dishes can spike anxiety as much as blood sugar.
- Devices beep at inconvenient times. Alerts can feel embarrassing, especially around people who don’t fully understand T1D.
- Emotions run high. Anticipatory stress, excitement, and family dynamics all show up at once.
Eleni explains it well: “Holidays are wonderful, but they’re also completely different from our normal routines. That alone can change everything.”
The good news—there are ways to plan ahead, respond with confidence, and still enjoy the moments that matter most.
Give Yourself Permission to Choose Your Priorities
One of the biggest questions people ask this time of year is whether it’s realistic to aim for the same glucose management they maintain the rest of the year.
Eleni’s take is simple and freeing: you get to decide what matters most that day.
Maybe your priority is:
- Staying in range as much as possible, or
- Enjoying pumpkin pie without guilt, or
- Focusing on time with your family, not your numbers.
Whatever you choose, it’s valid. And it’s yours.
Planning Ahead
People approach T1D during the holidays in different ways. Some thrive with flexibility. Others feel most secure with a clear plan. There’s no right or wrong approach.
If you’re a planner
Here are things Eleni often helps people map out:
- Pack backups: insulin, pens, pump supplies, CGM sensors, glucose tabs, your meter, anything you may need.
- Create a “what if” plan: What if your set fails? What if you forget insulin? What if your pump falls off?
- Adjust alerts: If you’re worried about disruptive alarms, temporarily raise your high alert to a higher number to reduce unnecessary beeping.
- Keep a note on your phone with key steps so you don’t have to think in the moment.
If you’re more flexible
Reflect on past moments that went well. Remind yourself that you’ve handled tough days before and can do it again. This mindset alone can lighten the emotional weight.
Handling Family Comments
Nearly everyone with T1D has a story about unsolicited food advice, uncomfortable questions, or an uncle who suddenly becomes the “diabetes police.”
Scott remembers a moment when a relative greeted him at the door with, “Do you have a problem with food or something?”—a comment that stuck with him for years.
Helpful phrases you can use
Having a few responses ready can make these moments easier:
- “Thanks, I know what works best for me.”
- “I’m choosing to have this right now and I’ll be fine.”
- “I’m not having that today, but I appreciate you thinking of me.”
- “This is just part of how I take care of my health.”
Sometimes these comments really do come from a place of love or curiosity. Redirecting the conversation—with kindness and boundaries—can defuse tension and help others understand what support actually looks like.
Scott also shared the story of his Aunt Sharon—someone who genuinely wanted to support him without making him feel singled out. She quietly asked what would make meals easier and followed his lead.
This type of thoughtful curiosity creates connection, not pressure.
A Gentle Reminder as You Head Into the Holidays
Your glucose levels don’t have to be flawless during the holidays. They don’t define your worth, your effort, or your success.
As Eleni shared, “Holidays are short and special. Let go of the pressure to be perfect and focus on what suits your needs in the moment.”
Every day with T1D is different. Every holiday is different, too. Give yourself permission to make choices that support your physical and emotional well-being.
