Five Ways to Lower Stress with Diabetes
Work, family, school, finances, relationships, and traffic are just a few common sources of stress for many of us. Add diabetes management and you may feel totally overwhelmed.
Luckily, learning and practicing wellness coping techniques can help you stay on a healthy track.
Here are five tips that can help keep stress at bay paired with some firsthand experience from the community:
1. A Support Network. For many, this is family and friends—the people you turn to when you need emotional support, to talk to or listen without judgment. This can include other friends with diabetes who understand what it’s like to live with the condition every day, 24/7.
“I sometimes have to remind myself that my mental wellbeing is a journey, not a destination. Just like my journey with diabetes, there will be highs and lows, but the journey is a little easier when you have others around to support and encourage you along the way,” shares sponsored Podder® Lexie Peterson.
2. Get Moving. When we are active, our brains release endorphins that make us feel better. Something as simple as taking a walk outside and breathing in the fresh air can turn a negative feeling into a positive one.
Sponsored Podder Justin Eastzer shared: “I treat managing my diabetes like I treat my workday: When I hit a wall—whether it's a tough task or a high blood sugar—I step away from my desk, take a 10-minute walk, and maybe throw in some squats or stairs. When I come back, I’m recharged, clearer-headed, and ready to get back to it.”
3. Eat Healthy. Have you ever heard the expression: Eat the colors of the rainbow? By consuming fruits, vegetables and whole grains as part of a healthy diet it can not only impact your health, but your overall wellbeing.
“I believe feeding your body right is a form of self-care. Eating a balanced plate of whole foods, not only balances my glucose, but also nourishes my body and helps improve my mental wellness,” shares sponsored Podder Amy Hsieh.
4. Drink Water. Our brains depend on proper hydration to function optimally. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, irritability, headache, and, in some cases, confusion or challenges focusing.
“I hydrate before, during, and after exercise and don’t wait until I’m thirsty. I pair water with electrolytes if I’m sweating a lot, and adjust for my body’s needs depending on my activity level and insulin usage. I keep in mind to check my glucose levels and sip that water like it’s my full-time job!” shares sponsored Podder Kesha Carter.
5. Think Positively. If you’re feeling stressed out, try celebrating any successes you’ve had in your diabetes management lately like nailing a bolus, a day where you had good time in range, or finding a new favorite low snack. When you’re living with diabetes, there are good days and bad days. And it’s normal to feel upset about or discouraged by the bad days.
Sponsored Podder Lauren Quinn shares: “No matter what, it is going to be okay. Even on the days where I feel like there is no light and I’m burnt out; it really does get better. No two journeys are the same... truthfully, not even my own. Some days my glucose levels will be perfect and the next day I’ll do the exact same thing and my body can react differently. But I know that I am always doing the best I can!”
Trying mixing and matching some of these tips, or think of your own (and share it with us on social media!), and remember: You can always seek out help from your endocrinologist or diabetes educator.