Find a hobby or join a class based on a subject or activity you enjoy.
Life can be stressful for everyone at times. However, for people with diabetes, stress can be more troublesome than for others. When we are stressed, either physically or emotionally, the body produces certain hormones. As a result of this process, blood glucose numbers can rise. As a result your levels should be monitored with diabetes testing with a meter such as the ACCU Chek meter. Physical stress, such as an accident or recovery from a surgery, may cause dramatic changes in your glucose levels. But constant mental stress, such as family or money worries, can have a similar impact.
Some simple ways to handle stress
Coping with stress is highly personal, and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. It's important to recognize it for what it is, and find the method of relaxation that works best for you.
A few suggestions:
- Breathing exercises
- Relaxation therapy
- Physical Activity (aerobic activities like walking and swimming can be good both for the mind and the body)
- Finding some "alone" time
- Developing a hobby or joining a class that you enjoy
- Reading Gathering with friends
Depression and diabetes
Everyone feels sad or down from time to time, but people with diabetes run a greater risk of depression than people who do not have diabetes. If you experience two of the symptoms below for longer than two weeks, or if you have more than three of the symptoms below, you should speak to your health care team.
- Loss of pleasure in things you normally like to do
- An increased or decreased change in appetite
- Trouble concentrating
- Nervous or guilty feelings
- Decreased energy or a feeling of tiredness
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Morning sadness
- Thoughts of suicide
Depression can affect your ability to manage diabetes
Having depression can make it harder to manage your diabetes and keep up with your blood glucose testing. If you have decreased energy, you may not feel like exercising or testing your blood glucose as often as you should. If you can’t concentrate, you may not be able to focus about what food choices you should make. You may feel overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness or doubts about your self-worth and not want to eat at all. Situations like these can affect your blood glucose levels and your health so it’s important that you get the help you need.
Situations like these can affect your blood glucose levels and your health so it’s important that you get the help you need and get your diabetes questions answered.
Talking to your doctor is a good first step
Your doctor is key to helping treat your depressive symptoms. As a first step, he or she may recommend that you speak with a professional who specializes in mental health issues such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, licensed clinical social worker, or professional counselor who is also knowledgeable about diabetes.
Depression is treatable. Short or long-term counseling with a specially trained health care professional canhelp you look at the problems that bring on depression. Together, you and your therapist can seek ways to relieve the problems you experience.