Being active is another part of living healthy and managing diabetes. Any type of physical activity you do helps lower your blood glucose - the main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy. Also called blood sugar.

Other benefits of physical activity include:

• Having more energy
• Relieving stress
• Keeping your joints flexible
• Lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke (condition caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain; may cause loss of ability to speak or to move parts of the body).
• Feeling great

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about which activities are right for you.

Examples of different types of physical activity include:

• Aerobic activity (walking, biking, swimming)
• Being active throughout the day (taking the stairs instead of an elevator)
• Strength training (lifting weights or using resistance bands)
• Flexibility exercises (stretching and yoga)