Even if you don't think you're having psychological difficulties, talking about your overall sense of well-being will improve it. That's the finding of a new study from the Netherlands.

Patients with diabetes were assigned to either standard care or to a group who also discussed their psychological well-being with the diabetes nurse specialist. After a year, the patients in the second group reported better mood, with significantly higher levels of energy, a higher sense of well-being and better mental health.

There was no difference in HbA1c measures between patients in the two groups.

The study authors concluded that monitoring and discussing psychological well-being as part of routine diabetes outpatient care had favorable effects on the mood of the patients and should be a regular part of that care.