How to Manage Stress When You Are Living with Diabetes

Everyone feels stress sometimes. It’s how your body feels when something makes you feel worried, upset, or angry. Too much stress can affect your health. If you have diabetes, stress can make it harder to keep your blood sugar levels in a normal range. 

Stress can make your blood sugar levels go up. It can also make your body less sensitive to insulin. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and may cause serious problems. 

Here are some tips for managing stress: 

• Exercise: Exercise can help reduce stress and improve blood sugar levels. Try to do 30 minutes of exercise every day. This could be walking, running, or playing sports. 

• Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve your insulin sensitivity. Try to do a relaxation technique for 10 minutes a day. 

• Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for managing stress. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 

• Manage your time well: Time management can help reduce stress levels. It will give you more time to manage your diabetes and health. Making a list will help keep you and your day on track. You can also use a calendar to schedule appointments and reminders.

• Have social support: Having people to talk to and support you can help reduce stress levels. Plan regular coffee or lunch dates with friends or family. 

Remember, managing stress is an ongoing process. There will be times when you feel more stressed than others and that’s okay. The important thing is to have a plan in place so you can manage your stress effectively. 

This site is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.