Understand the Connection Between Stress, Anxiety, and Diabetes Mellitus

For the majority of us stress and anxiety are the common experiences of our daily life. One could see these from job stresses to personal anxiety and that’s why these can affect all of us. However, they are not affecting only on the physical front, they can also impact your health, predominantly in the context of diabetes mellitus. Let’us understand the connection between stress, anxiety, and diabetes mellitus.

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Medical condition known as diabetes mellitus or diabetes, for short, is one of the chronic diseases that, among other effects, alters the way how your body handles blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is necessary for providing energy to cells, and insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas,helps to regulate its levels in the blood.In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce sufficient insulin. In Type 2 diabetes this is the body that will be unable to properly use the insulin, resulting in higher levels of sugar in the blood.

Understanding Stress and Anxiety.

Stress, the body’s natural reaction to challenges or threats, is just one of its ways of responding to these. It causes the release of hormones and physiological adaptations aiming to help you deal with the exposure of these situations.However, with chronic stress, these responses persist over a long period, having a negative impact on health.

Anxiety, as syndromes in my psychotherapy class categorises, include one with a greater feeling of fear, worry or unease often caused by a future outcome or uneasiness resulting from current problems . It might express the emotional features such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shaking.

The Connection Between Stress, Anxiety, and Diabetes Mellitus

Research suggests that stress and anxiety can influence diabetes in several ways:

1. Hormonal Changes:

Stress is followed by the release of hormones including cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones cause the blood glucose to rise quickly, but only temporally. For a person with diabetes, it can become harder and stress-causing to handle his condition.

2. Poor Lifestyle Choices: 

During stress or anxiety, people may  do unhealthy behaviours like overeating, nonfat dairy and lean meats, eating sweets or neglecting exercise and daily workout. These habits in turn worsen blood sugar control leading to progression of diabetes.

3. Medication Adherence: 

The stress and anxiety as well as the feelings of emotions can limit a person with diabetes from adjusting well with the treatment plan which includes; medication intake as prescribed, checking the blood sugar levels as per the doctor’s recommendation, and attending regular check ups. This way, the chance of developing issues would be higher which in turn would result in worse prognosis.

4. Inflammation and Immune Function:

 Our immune system becomes weak with the stress and anxiety leading to increased risk of inflammation in the body. In fact, inflammation is considered to play a role in development of insulin resistance, that is a key feature of Type 2 diabetes.

Managing Stress and Anxiety for Better Diabetes Control 

It is necessary to learn techniques of coping with stress and anxiety as they can influence overall health and can also help to keep diabetes under control. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Regular Exercise:

 Physical activity is a natural means by which one can reduce the levels of stress in their lives and as well capable of controlling the levels of blood sugar. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise should be your routine for most days of the week. Activities like walking, cycling or ones causing an increased heart rate improve diabetes control. 

2. Healthy Eating: 

A balanced, healthy diet having fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins is the recommendation because it can promote mental and physical health. Intake of added sugar and refined carbohydrates should be minimised due to their worse effects for people with diabetes.

Related: Easy Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes for Busy Mornings

3. Relaxation Techniques:

 Add more of the relaxation techniques, such as:

 Deep breathing 

• Take long, slow, deep breaths (also known as abdominal or belly breathing.

• As you breathe, gently disengage your mind from distracting thoughts and sensations.

 Meditation

• Sit comfortably, focus on your breathing, and bring your mind’s attention to the present moment.

• Avoid drifting into concerns about the past or the future.

 Yoga

• These mind-body practices combine movement, breath, and mindfulness.

• They promote relaxation, flexibility, and balance.

4. Social Support:

 Crying to a friend, family member or a support group may be a good way to relieve stress and the burden. A good friend to talk to brings comfort and is an outlet for those who know how it feels to you.

5. Seek Professional Help: 

If the pain or the worry of living with diabetes is interfering with all that you do, such as managing your diabetes each day, then please talk to a mental health specialist. Both psychotherapy, counselling, and medication may be significant.

Finally, stress and tension can cause great dangers for diabetic people, including variation in blood sugar level, and negative health conditions. By applying healthy stress-coping methods and attending to help when necessary, those with diabetes can learn how to better manage their condition and achieve improved quality of life.