If you have type 2 diabetes, you live with a lot of rules -- but here's a fun one you may have missed: Relax more.
Sure, you need to think twice about what you eat, get more exercise, and take your meds. But getting a handle on stress can help lower blood sugar, too. Here's one relaxation strategy that appears to do the trick.
Biofeedback Does It
"Relax!" If you've ever had someone shout that at you, you know it's sometimes easier said than done. Despite your best efforts, you may have trouble dialing it down.
But there's a training technique that can help you: biofeedback. It helps you learn how your body reacts to stress -- typically by employing some kind of sensor tool that monitors muscle tension or skin temperature -- so you can head stress off at the pass.
Body Benefits
Once you've learned the technique, it's yours for life. And it works. People with type 2 diabetes who had 10 sessions of biofeedback and relaxation therapy not only lowered their blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (what's that?), but also these levels remained lowered 3 months later. Bonus: Problems with depression and anxiety dropped, too.
Learn five ways to get a handle on your emotions in this article.
RealAge Benefit: People with diabetes who adopt an aggressive disease management program can make their RealAge as much as 8 years younger.
Take the RealAge Test
Sure, you need to think twice about what you eat, get more exercise, and take your meds. But getting a handle on stress can help lower blood sugar, too. Here's one relaxation strategy that appears to do the trick.
Biofeedback Does It
"Relax!" If you've ever had someone shout that at you, you know it's sometimes easier said than done. Despite your best efforts, you may have trouble dialing it down.
The Stress Effect
Biofeedback may decrease cortisol, a stress hormone linked to insulin resistance.
Biofeedback may decrease cortisol, a stress hormone linked to insulin resistance.
Body Benefits
Once you've learned the technique, it's yours for life. And it works. People with type 2 diabetes who had 10 sessions of biofeedback and relaxation therapy not only lowered their blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (what's that?), but also these levels remained lowered 3 months later. Bonus: Problems with depression and anxiety dropped, too.
Learn five ways to get a handle on your emotions in this article.
RealAge Benefit: People with diabetes who adopt an aggressive disease management program can make their RealAge as much as 8 years younger.
Take the RealAge Test