Most people experience stress as an emotional or physical strain. It can result in worry, anxiety, and tension. Stress can affect you physically, mentally and emotionally.  Mental stress like worrying about work or family typically increases your blood sugar levels. Physical stress like if you are sick or injured you may also see an increase in your blood sugar levels.

How can stress affect diabetes?

Stress can make it more difficult to control your diabetes as it may throw you off your daily routines. Hormones released during stress increase your blood pressure, raise your heart rate and cause blood sugar to rise. High blood sugar can make you feel down or tired. If stress doesn’t go away it can keep your blood sugar levels high and put you at a higher risk of diabetes complications. It can also affect your mood and how you look after yourself, which can start to affect your emotional health.

What are the symptoms of stress?

Symptoms of stress can include anxiety, depression, feeling restless, headache, fatigue, irritation, sleep problems etc.

How to reduce stress level?

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. However, constant stress isn’t good for your body, mind or your type 2 diabetes.

• Take your medications regularly and eat healthy meals – Having proper meals and taking medications on time can help control your blood sugar levels when in stress.
• When in stress, closely monitor your blood sugar levels – Monitoring your blood sugar levels when in stress can help you make adjustments accordingly.
• Exercise regularly – Try resistance exercise such as yoga or include a cardiovascular exercise to your daily routine like walking.
• Practice relaxations and meditation – Take 10-15 minutes every day to focus on your thoughts and increase your ability to feel calm and centered.
• Share what you are going through with your family and friends – You can’t do everything by yourself, talking about what’s making you stressed can help. Take support of your family and friends to help you reduce stress.
• Spend some time alone – Take time everyday just to do something you’re yourself like listening to some relaxing music or reading some book or scheduling your day to day activities.
• Seek support in reducing stress – Seek help of a counselor if required to reduce your stress.
• Focus on the positive – it is easy to see the negatives in your life. Instead when you focus on the positive you can reduce your stress and improve your general outlook on life.
• Recharge your batteries – Getting adequate sleep can also improve your stress levels and keep your blood sugar in control.

Stress is not good for anyone, yet everyone experiences it. Instead of taking stress make an effort to reduce it and live a healthy life.