Nick Jonas is a “sucker” for self-care.
As part of his diabetes management, the 31-year-old singer and actor has a few go-to’s for maintaining his mental health.
“There is that mental health effect that comes into play,” Jonas, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 13, told CBS News. “Symptoms of irritability and frustration are directly associated with elevated glucose levels.”
In addition to eating well and using his Dexcom G7 to monitor his glucose levels in real-time, the singer said it’s helpful to “give yourself some grace” to prevent burnout.
“Remember that, despite your diligent efforts to manage your disease, there will be days that are particularly challenging, and you are making every effort to avoid becoming irritated,” he stated. “Taking the 15 to 20 minutes to simply sit down, take a long breath, and use whatever method you prefer to de-escalate the situation.” It is crucial to do so, as failure to do so may result in a severe exhaustion.
In his own words, “It is essential to approach the situation with the intention of ensuring that you are performing to the utmost of your ability.”
“I used to become extremely irritated with the circumstance,” he stated. “It has been extremely beneficial and useful to take that step back and view it from that perspective.”
The perspective shift, along with finding a tool that works for him, helps him focus on family too.
“Becoming a father has kind of changed my life in so many ways,” he said. “I have made a concerted effort to eliminate any distractions that prevent me from being fully present with her.” I do not wish to dwell on the frustrations of a day with Type 1, as the moments I spend with her are priceless.
Another form of self-care he “used to overlook,” he said, is sleep, but now he recognizes it’s “super important.”
“I observed a direct correlation between my overall performance and my ability to motivate myself to go to bed earlier than I previously did.” “I was always somewhat of a night owl,” he stated. “I used to overextend myself in a variety of ways, whether it was socially or professionally.” I believe it is a self-evident truth as one ages—but it is simply the case.
Currently in Dublin filming a movie in between touring with his bandmates and brothers, Jonas understands it can be difficult to find time to be physically active in our “crazy lives,” but said it also helps his mental health.
He stated, “One of the things that has been extremely beneficial is simply locating available opportunities to engage in an active sport such as golf or tennis, which allows me to focus on something singular.”
In his perspective, sports and diabetes are also interconnected—it is all about perpetual learning.
“I am aware that I will never be able to master the game of golf or tennis, which serves as an apt metaphor for the experience of living with Type 1,” he stated. “You will never achieve that level of proficiency, and it is crucial to approach it incrementally.”
