In diabetes, for example, seeing improvements in blood sugar levels increase our confidence in our ability to manage our eating healthfully, adding to our desire and motivation to continue the practice. While we occasionally experience setback in our self-care journey, it is a lifetime journey, so must always refine and look for ways to move forward. Monitoring and tracking our behaviors and attitudes can keep us action-oriented and on the lookout for possibilities for change. Monitoring opens our eyes to behaviors or patterns that have produced positive results, so that we can build more successes. Monitoring also identifies those behaviors that perpetuate negative results, offering us the opportunity to make improvements.
Tracking can take place in many more areas of our lifestyle than seem obvious.
For example, with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or any GI problem, it makes sense to keep a food journal. Additionally, keeping track of stress level and stressors provides important clues to influences on intestinal reactions. That information can be used to make changes that lessen the negative reaction to stress. Perhaps less obvious, but no less important to track and evaluate are sleeping habits, physical activity, and social and personal habits. Inadequate or restless sleep, especially over time can influence one's ability to withstand stress.