{"id":3887,"date":"2024-02-15T16:05:05","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T05:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/?p=3887"},"modified":"2025-06-18T12:36:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T01:36:45","slug":"thelinkbetweendiabetesandstress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/thelinkbetweendiabetesandstress\/","title":{"rendered":"The link between diabetes and stress: how stress affects your blood glucose"},"content":{"rendered":"

With almost 1.9 million Australians already living with diabetes and one person developing the condition every five minutes, diabetes is a big issue in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

So is stress. In a survey covering 2020\u201321, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that 43.7% of adults had experienced one or more \u2018personal stressors\u2019 (experiences such as illness, breakdown of a relationship, bereavement or loss of a job) during that period.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress and diabetes are linked. Not only can stress contribute to the development of diabetes, but it can also negatively affect a person\u2019s management of it; and living with diabetes can cause stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll take a closer look at those links.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress and diabetes: what’s the link?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Diabetes is a condition where there are high levels of glucose in the blood. It is caused when the body is not able to produce insulin (a hormone that keeps blood glucose levels in a healthy range) or cannot produce enough of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress can contribute to high blood glucose levels. When a person experiences stress, their body releases \u2018stress hormones\u2019 adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol causes the body to decrease its insulin secretion, which can result in blood glucose increasing.<\/span><\/p>\n

As that happens, the pancreas releases more insulin until it becomes unable to make enough of the hormone to meet the body’s needs and cells become resistant to it. This is called \u2018insulin resistance\u2019, and it results in blood glucose levels rising further. If this process continues, a state called pre-diabetes develops. If pre-diabetes is not managed, it can develop into type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress can also indirectly affect the risk of diabetes through its impact on a person\u2019s lifestyle. People who are under stress are more likely to experience poor-quality sleep, eat less healthy and exercise less.<\/span><\/p>\n

People who are already living with diabetes may find that stress impairs their ability to manage the condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood glucose and stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When we\u2019re in a challenging, stressful situation, our body\u2019s sympathetic nervous system triggers the \u2018fight or flight\u2019 response in an effort to keep us safe. Humans have always had this response to prime the body to deal with any stressful situation. Originally it helped us to do what you need to do when you meet a predator: run fast or fight hard. Both need higher amounts of energy. To provide this, the body releases into the bloodstream the \u2018stress hormones\u2019, cortisol and adrenaline.<\/span><\/p>\n

These hormones increase your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate, pumping blood around the body faster to provide your muscles with extra oxygen. The stress hormones also stimulate the pancreas to release another hormone called glucagon. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream, giving your body the energy necessary to fight or run away, even though neither course of action is likely to be appropriate in dealing with the stressors of modern life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insulin is a hormone that helps cells take in glucose for energy. Stress causes insulin levels to fall, resulting in more glucose remaining in the bloodstream. If a person is constantly in a stressed state, this can lead to chronically elevated blood glucose levels and potentially contribute to the development of diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned, stress can also increase the risk of diabetes through its impact on lifestyle choices. For example, overeating in response to stress may lead to weight gain, and weight gain, particularly around the waist, is a major risk factor for insulin resistance. Stress can also lead to poor-quality sleep, which has been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetes and mental health<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Research shows that living with a chronic condition such as diabetes can have a significant effect on a person\u2019s mental health. Not only do you have to deal with its physical effects but you have to manage the condition day in, day out. As many as 75% of people with the condition report that they experience serious stress in their daily lives. There is an emotional state that is sometimes referred to as \u2018diabetes-related distress\u2019 or \u2018diabetes-specific distress\u2019. It is experienced by people managing the emotional burden of finding suitable support and care. It can also be triggered by the social impact of diabetes (such as stigma, discrimination or dealing with other people\u2019s unhelpful reactions or lack of understanding).<\/span><\/p>\n

Long-term stress can trigger depression, and if that happens to a person living with diabetes, they may feel less able to manage the condition. If you have decreased energy and are experiencing problems with concentration (which are both common symptoms of depression), you may feel less motivated to do regular exercise, take medication and\/or stick to a healthy eating plan. Neglecting yourself in that way can increase your risk of diabetes complications such as heart, kidney, eye and foot damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress management for diabetes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As stress can impact the health of people who are living with diabetes, it\u2019s helpful to learn ways of minimising its effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, getting enough sleep, exercise, rest and relaxation in your daily routine are beneficial in coping with stress. Steps that you can take include:<\/span><\/p>\n