Exercise can lower your stress level.
No one enjoys being stressed out, but for people with diabetes, taming tension is even more important. Why? Because mental stress can actually boost blood sugar levels. (So can physical stress from things like common colds, surgery, and an injury.) Being stressed can also make you more likely to do things like overeat, smoke, or drink too much alcohol.
Now for the good news: Moving your body can help send stress packing. Exercise causes your brain to release mood-boosting chemicals, that make you less sensitive to negative stress hormones. Workouts also provide a distraction from what’s bothering you. (It’s tough to focus on your tennis serve and your work deadlines at the same time.)
Moving your arms or hips in circles can help physically “loosen up” tense muscles. And exercises that allow you to fall into a rhythm, such as walking or jogging, can be soothing, especially if you also focus on breathing and possibly even repeat a positive word or phrase during the exercise. Take your moves outside, and you get an added stress-reducing benefit by enjoying the calming sights and sounds of Mother Nature.
