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THE DANGER OF STRESS FOR DIABETICS
Medical studies suggest that minimizing and relieving stress can help control blood sugar. When a diabetic is stressed, blood sugar rises when hormones trigger extra glucose. But, the opposite is true, too. Reducing stress and boosting pleasure can lower blood sugar and possibly lower your risk for diabetic complications. When combined with a healthy diet and exercise, controlling stress can also help diabetics lose weight.
In today's society, stress is everywhere, constantly. It's not possible to totally get rid of stress, but it is possible to learn to manage stress, create joy, and reduce its effects on you.
Get Plenty of Sleep - Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation may actually increase stress, making it very hard for a diabetic's body to regulate insulin and blood sugar. By getting the correct amount of sleep, you'll feel refreshed in the morning, refreshed during the day, and will be ready to take on any challenge.
Be Resilient - Learn to let go and move on! Live a stress-resilient lifestyle by learning to bounce back from any complication. Recognize stressful situations, but don't worry or obsess about them. Create hope for the future by welcoming challenges, finding solutions, and seeking support with an open mind.
Claim Some Time for Yourself - Take time out to practice stress reduction techniques once a day.
==>> Deep Breathing - Lie down or sit in a comfortable chair. Inhale deeply through your nose and hold your breath for a couple of seconds. Slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat this relaxation exercise several times during the day.
==>> Mindfulness - Also known as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness basically means purposely finding time to pay attention to life around you, in the present, without dwelling on the past or the future. For example, take time to watch your children play without worrying about anything other than how they are now. The result is peace, relaxation, body awareness, and understanding of the world around you. Sound profound? Try it, it is.
==>> Yoga - Try yoga for stress relief, body awareness, to minimize your blood sugar, and help with weight loss. Find a certified yoga instructor and stick with the easier styles of yoga for beginners, instead of power yoga which needs a lot of flexibility and stiff poses.
Create Pleasure - Find a hobby or activity that brings you pleasure. Repetitive hobbies that put you in a "zone" are best for relieving stress. Consider woodworking, writing, gardening, sewing, knitting, drawing, painting, or any other meditative hobby that breaks the train of worrisome thoughts and brings about calm.
You can also make your own pleasure by living a life of fun. Adopt a cat or dog, they're lots of fun. Take soothing baths, get a massage or spend the day at a spa, give your spouse a treat for no reason, play with your children, or simply watch a funny TV show and laugh out loud.
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