(HealthDay News) -- Keeping your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible can help prevent complications of diabetes.

But how do you get started?

The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions:

• Make changes gradually, rather than trying to do everything at once. Start with a single change, such as checking your blood sugar more often.
• Take an honest look at how you're coping with being diabetic, and deal with any issues such as anger or depression.
• Be realistic about what you can accomplish, and understand that you can't always have perfect blood sugar. With practice, you can learn to administer the right insulin dose for different situations.
• If the demands of the disease get overwhelming, allow yourself a small break from the new routine, then start again as quickly as possible.