Stress relief for Diabetics

There are different levels of stress which can be hard on the body. Stress affects the metabolism in different levels. Here are some steps diabetics can take to reduce impact of stress, and it's probably good advice for all of us.
Valerie Honaker, a medical sales rep, found that appointments and deadlines can be stressful. She says that in the scheme of things they might seem small, but they do tend to affect your blood sugar. Stress releases hormones that raise blood sugar levels. But unlike most people, diabetics like Honaker can't process that extra sugar. The result is headaches, fatigue and dizziness.

According to Sharon Penergast, the higher the blood sugar stays, the more likely you are to develop long-term complications from the diabetes. A recent Duke University study finds diabetics need to reduce stress to keep their blood sugar down. First, they need to identify what triggers their stress. She said that if you have diabetes and you don't know what your triggers are, it's going to be more difficult to control the blood sugar.

Classes can help diabetics recognize stress triggers and learn how to avoid them. Positive thinking, muscle relaxation, deep breathing and mental imagery can help. Honaker has found that one of the best de-stressors is exercise. She says, "When you have stressful situations where the blood pressure wants to go up and the blood sugar wants to go up, then the exercise kind of counter balances that."

Hence leading a healthy life is the best thing one has seen in life. According to Amercan Foabe According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 16 million people have diabetes, and that number is rising. Researchers in this study say simple, inexpensive techniques to reduce stress could be as effective as medications in reducing blood sugar levels.