Managing Stress When You Have Diabetes

 

Getting used to life with a chronic condition can be hard. You might find yourself feeling angry, sad, or even afraid. Rest assured, these feelings are normal. However, excess stress or sadness can actually affect your blood sugar. Learn to watch for signs of these feelings. Trust that you can get help.

 

 

Talking with your healthcare team

 Learning to control blood sugar can sometimes be frustrating. You may have questions or fears about how diabetes may change your life. Your healthcare team is there to help you and answer questions. They can show you how to follow your meal plan, be more active, and check your blood sugar. Do not be afraid to ask your healthcare team for help.

 

Asking others for help

 

You do not have to deal with diabetes alone. Support from family, friends, or a diabetes support group can help you take better care of yourself. Ask others to:

• Listen to your feelings. This will help you work through fear or anger.
• Speak with a licensed psychotherapist.
• Eat the same meals you eat. Your meal plan will be healthy for family and friends, too.
• Exercise with you. Exercise is good for everyone. It strengthens the heart and helps relieve stress.
• Go with you to visit your healthcare team. This will help your loved ones learn what you need to do.

 

 

Taking time to relax

 Learning to relax and doing things you enjoy may reduce stress. Staying active also helps.

 

 

Ways to relax

To relax your muscles and calm your mind:

• Sit or lie back in a chair. Take a slow, deep breath. Hold it for 5 counts. Then breathe out slowly through the mouth. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed.
• As you breathe deeply, tense and then relax the muscles in your body. Start with your feet and work up your body to your neck and face.
• Picture yourself in a peaceful place, such as the beach. Feel the warm sand. Hear the waves. Smell the ocean. Doing this will help you feel more relaxed.

 

 

Activities that can help

Focus your mind on things you like. This may include:

• Enjoying a hobby
• Meditating or praying
• Deep breathing
• Taking a walk with a friend
• Exercising
• Taking care of pets
• Keeping a journal
• Joining a social club or group
• Volunteering with a community organization 
• Learning yoga or tai chi
• Spending time with people you care about

 

 

Recognize depression   Many people feel sad or down when they first hear that they have diabetes. However, frequent feelings of helplessness or hopelessness are symptoms of depression. Although depression is a serious problem, it can be treated. If you are having trouble sleeping or eating, or if you feel overwhelmed, contact your healthcare provider. Do not wait! Get the support you need to feel good about managing diabetes.

 

Managing Stress When You Have Diabetes

 

Getting used to life with a chronic condition can be hard. You might find yourself feeling angry, sad, or even afraid. Rest assured, these feelings are normal. However, excess stress or sadness can actually affect your blood sugar. Learn to watch for signs of these feelings. Trust that you can get help.

 

 

Talking with your healthcare team

 Learning to control blood sugar can sometimes be frustrating. You may have questions or fears about how diabetes may change your life. Your healthcare team is there to help you and answer questions. They can show you how to follow your meal plan, be more active, and check your blood sugar. Do not be afraid to ask your healthcare team for help.

 

Asking others for help

 

You do not have to deal with diabetes alone. Support from family, friends, or a diabetes support group can help you take better care of yourself. Ask others to:

• Listen to your feelings. This will help you work through fear or anger.
• Speak with a licensed psychotherapist.
• Eat the same meals you eat. Your meal plan will be healthy for family and friends, too.
• Exercise with you. Exercise is good for everyone. It strengthens the heart and helps relieve stress.
• Go with you to visit your healthcare team. This will help your loved ones learn what you need to do.

 

 

Taking time to relax

 Learning to relax and doing things you enjoy may reduce stress. Staying active also helps.

 

 

Ways to relax

To relax your muscles and calm your mind:

• Sit or lie back in a chair. Take a slow, deep breath. Hold it for 5 counts. Then breathe out slowly through the mouth. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed.
• As you breathe deeply, tense and then relax the muscles in your body. Start with your feet and work up your body to your neck and face.
• Picture yourself in a peaceful place, such as the beach. Feel the warm sand. Hear the waves. Smell the ocean. Doing this will help you feel more relaxed.

 

 

Activities that can help

Focus your mind on things you like. This may include:

• Enjoying a hobby
• Meditating or praying
• Deep breathing
• Taking a walk with a friend
• Exercising
• Taking care of pets
• Keeping a journal
• Joining a social club or group
• Volunteering with a community organization 
• Learning yoga or tai chi
• Spending time with people you care about

 

 

Recognize depression   Many people feel sad or down when they first hear that they have diabetes. However, frequent feelings of helplessness or hopelessness are symptoms of depression. Although depression is a serious problem, it can be treated. If you are having trouble sleeping or eating, or if you feel overwhelmed, contact your healthcare provider. Do not wait! Get the support you need to feel good about managing diabetes.

 

Managing Stress When You Have Diabetes

 

Getting used to life with a chronic condition can be hard. You might find yourself feeling angry, sad, or even afraid. Rest assured, these feelings are normal. However, excess stress or sadness can actually affect your blood sugar. Learn to watch for signs of these feelings. Trust that you can get help.

 

 

Talking with your healthcare team

 Learning to control blood sugar can sometimes be frustrating. You may have questions or fears about how diabetes may change your life. Your healthcare team is there to help you and answer questions. They can show you how to follow your meal plan, be more active, and check your blood sugar. Do not be afraid to ask your healthcare team for help.

 

Asking others for help

 

You do not have to deal with diabetes alone. Support from family, friends, or a diabetes support group can help you take better care of yourself. Ask others to:

• Listen to your feelings. This will help you work through fear or anger.
• Speak with a licensed psychotherapist.
• Eat the same meals you eat. Your meal plan will be healthy for family and friends, too.
• Exercise with you. Exercise is good for everyone. It strengthens the heart and helps relieve stress.
• Go with you to visit your healthcare team. This will help your loved ones learn what you need to do.

 

 

Taking time to relax

 Learning to relax and doing things you enjoy may reduce stress. Staying active also helps.

 

 

Ways to relax

To relax your muscles and calm your mind:

• Sit or lie back in a chair. Take a slow, deep breath. Hold it for 5 counts. Then breathe out slowly through the mouth. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed.
• As you breathe deeply, tense and then relax the muscles in your body. Start with your feet and work up your body to your neck and face.
• Picture yourself in a peaceful place, such as the beach. Feel the warm sand. Hear the waves. Smell the ocean. Doing this will help you feel more relaxed.

 

 

Activities that can help

Focus your mind on things you like. This may include:

• Enjoying a hobby
• Meditating or praying
• Deep breathing
• Taking a walk with a friend
• Exercising
• Taking care of pets
• Keeping a journal
• Joining a social club or group
• Volunteering with a community organization 
• Learning yoga or tai chi
• Spending time with people you care about

 

 

Recognize depression   Many people feel sad or down when they first hear that they have diabetes. However, frequent feelings of helplessness or hopelessness are symptoms of depression. Although depression is a serious problem, it can be treated. If you are having trouble sleeping or eating, or if you feel overwhelmed, contact your healthcare provider. Do not wait! Get the support you need to feel good about managing diabetes.