Our body responds to stress by releasing hormones that increase glucose levels to provide muscles with the fuel they need to engage in battle. This system works well if you don’t have diabetes. However, for people living with insulin deficiency and /or resistance, chronic stress can make glycemic control even more challenging. In addition, stress can cause a detour in the best laid plans to eat healthier and exercise more. Hence, the “Double Whammy” of diabetes and stress.

We asked our special guest contributor to share her expertise on stress and provide us with some coping strategies we can pass along to our patients. Thanks Cathy!

How does daily stress impact people?
Most adults experience some level of stress on a daily basis.  Everything from the minor annoyance of a traffic jam to the life-altering commitment of caring for a chronically ill family member can lead to the familiar feelings of uneasiness, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep and appetite, irritability, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, increased heart rate, trembling, and even feeling faint.  Stress affects the physical functioning of the body as well as common behaviors, making it particularly challenging for people with diabetes.

How does stress increase blood glucose levels?

When faced with a stress or danger, the body initiates an immediate and well-coordinated fight or flight response that allows 
a person to fight the danger or flee it.  Stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, are released causing an elevation in glucose levels. In people without diabetes, this glucose surge is beneficial; it provides energy for muscles to fight off the danger or to outrun it. The system is based on the assumption that the extra glucose will be spent while conquering the dangerous situation, allowing the body to return to a normal (baseline) state. For centuries this system has allowed humans to always be ready to handle threats to their survival.

How have the effects on stress impacted human’s overtime?

It’s rare for modern stressors to require physical fighting or fleeing.  Stressors are more often encountered while sitting still — paying bills, sitting in traffic, working at a desk, or having a difficult conversation. Unfortunately the fight or flight response is so ingrained and automatic that it does not allow for differentiation between stress that requires action and stress that requires other types of responses. If the stressor does not necessitate the use of muscles, glucose levels can climb in the bloodstream stimulating the pancreas to increase insulin release.

What is the impact of stress on people with diabetes?

Stress has a dual effect on diabetes. Life stressors can affect behavior by influencing decision-making abilities (such as snacking on unintended foods or skipping exercise). Plus, stress activates the body’s fight or flight response increasing glucose levels circulating in the blood. Recognition of the double impact of stress on individuals with diabetes highlights the need for effective stress management as an integral part of diabetes management programs. 

What are some tools that Diabetes Educators can share?

Several techniques can be employed to help alleviate stress. Perhaps the most important skill is to learn to identify stressors. Often individuals report feeling weighed down and stressed out.  It can be surprisingly difficult to pinpoint the causes of those feelings.  However, taking some time to discuss them with another person can be helpful in naming the stress-causing demands on their lives.  Once identified, one can work to lessen or eliminate the stress or to increase their ability to manage the stress.

There are numerous effective ways to reduce feelings of stress, making it possible to find a technique that fits into the lifestyle and values of the individual who will be using it. An active, energetic person might find that exercise is a great stress-reducer. Alternatively, a person who values calm and quiet may prefer taking several slow, deep breaths to encourage relaxation.

Several relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), meditation, journaling and guided imagery, have actually been shown to reduce glucose levels in people with diabetes in addition to reducing feelings of stress.  There are many books and internet resources available that can provide more detail or instruction on these techniques.  In some cases, individuals find it helpful to enlist the help of a therapist who is trained in ways to help reduce stress and change thought patterns.

While no one likes the feeling of stress, it’s clear that it is especially detrimental to those with diabetes.  Featuring stress management in diabetes management programs can bring about positive changes psychologically as well as physically.

Special thanks to our guest contributor, Cathy A. Bykowski, from Tampa, Florida. Her research and clinical interests revolve around the relationship between mental and physical health, and in particular, how psychological factors affect diabetes outcomes. She is actively recruiting participants for her FREE Stress and Mood Management Program to complete her PhD. Please share this valuable resource with your patients.