How to Deal With Stress
No matter how hard we try and avoid it, daily stressors are inevitable. Stress is everywhere, especially in our work and social lives. It affects our mental and physical health immensely without us realizing it. Over the last few years, COVID-19 has heightened people’s anxiety and stress levels with endless lockdowns, health fears, and limited social interaction. A lot of stress is harmful to anyone, but those with diabetes are at a higher risk of health issues. Stress can lead to high blood pressure and could potentially stop insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from functioning correctly.
To help avoid these issues and become the healthiest version of yourself, here are a few ways to destress:
Start a hobby: If you find yourself constantly worrying about life, immersing yourself in a hobby is a great creative outlet and distraction from daily stressors. Doing something you love, like baking, photography, gardening, or learning to play an instrument, gives you a break from a stressful situation. Hobbies are a great creative outlet and period of time you get to spend with yourself and work on your mental health. If you don’t already have a hobby or creative outlet, try out a few different things and see what fits best for you and your life.
Prioritize physical activity: You have probably heard before that getting thirty minutes of physical activity a day is crucial for your mental and physical health. Just thirty minutes a day can reduce your blood sugar levels, increase your endurance, and improve your heart health. In addition to these benefits, physical activity is key to reducing stress. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to know a thing or two about working out. A simple thirty-minute walk or yoga class is more than enough to balance your stress levels and take control of your health and wellbeing.
Get enough sleep: Making sure you get the right amount of sleep is vital to your overall health and how your body deals with stress. Not getting a full seven to eight hours of sleep a night can completely imbalance your hormones and negatively impact your stress levels – on top of daily stressors already. Rest is known to calm and restore the body, improve concentration, and sharpens your judgement and decision-making. So make your night routine your favorite part of your day since sleep is essential for living a balanced and healthy life.
Talk to someone: There is no shame in seeking therapy or talking to someone you trust about your anxiety and stress. If anything, taking action in this way could be the healthiest way for you to manage your stress and learn how to cope with it. No matter how you decide to seek help, whether it be a professional or someone close to you that can help distract you from these issues or provide advice, you are putting your health first and choosing the safest outlet that reflects you and your life.
Although stress is all around us and sometimes feels unbearable, these tips and tricks on how to destress can be a learning guide to follow. Above all, you must prioritize your mental and physical health equally, as they are fundamental to living a healthy life and keeping your diabetes in check.
Take care of yourself,
From your MediSure Team! You can find and follow us on
FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/3yZQFho
TWITTER: https://bit.ly/3GGNmP3
INSTAGRAM: https://bit.ly/3gdOs9k
