Handling stress as a type 1 diabetic is tricky because we also have to manage our blood sugars—which stress affects. I’m in a season of life right now that’s very stressful, and this episode brings together a lot of stress-reduction tips that can benefit you even if you don’t have type 1.
Stress Reduction tips we go over, adapted from the WebMD Stress Reduction website:
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- Keep a positive attitude
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- Accept that there are things and events you cannot control
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- Be assertive instead of aggressive
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- Learn and practice relaxation techniques
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- Exercise regularly
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- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals
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- Learn to manage your time more effectively
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- Set limits appropriately and say no to requests (or even personal desires) that would create excessive stress in your life
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- Make time for hobbies and interests
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- Get enough rest and sleep
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- Don’t rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress
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- Seek out social support
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- Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional
We also talk about things that help us reduce stress in our own experience. Try them out to see if they work for you!
Wins & Fails
Colleen’s Win: After Black Friday brunch, my blood sugars were basically perfect all day.
Jessie’s Fail: Jessie ran out of insulin in her pump on Thanksgiving and had to forego a real dessert. Womp, womp. ?
Tip of the Week
You can pair your Dexcom G6 transmitter with one medical device (like your Dexcom receiver or your t:Slim X2 pump) and one non-medical device, like your cell phone. This is handy if you have a child with diabetes and you need to keep tabs on their blood sugars when they’re at school or out with friends. You can also share readings with your partner. My husband Tim gets my blood sugars on his phone and this lets him keep an eye on my numbers when I go to bed since our bedtimes are different.
Diabetes Spotlight
Unexpected viral behavior linked to type 1 diabetes in high-risk children
A new study shows an association between prolonged enterovirus infection and development of autoimmunity in the beta cells that precedes type 1 diabetes.
The investigators were surprised to find that a prolonged infection of more than 30 days, rather than a short infection, was associated with autoimmunity.
“This is important because enteroviruses are a very common type of virus, sometimes causing fever, sore throat, rash or nausea. A lot of children get them, but not everybody that gets the virus will get T1D,” Vehik said. “Only a small subset of children who get enterovirus will go on to develop beta cell autoimmunity. Those whose infection lasts a month or longer will be at higher risk.”
A prolonged enterovirus infection might be an indicator that autoimmunity could develop.
If you have diabetes and your kid has had an extended viral infection, check out Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet. They offer free screening to relatives of people with type 1 diabetes.
Now It's Your Turn...
How have you noticed stress affecting your diabetes? Do you have any tips for handling stress as a type 1 diabetic?
Mentioned in This Episode
- How to Find a Good Therapist (blog post)
- Tips for Reducing Stress (WebMD)
- The Life Coach School podcast
- 4-7-8 Breathing (blog post)
- 750words.com
- Erin Condren Planners
- Support us on Patreon!
Want to Read or Listen to More? - 25 Truth Bombs to Make You Re-Think Type 1 Diabetes
- The Stress Associated with Type 1 Diabetes
- What is Type 1 Diabetes and Why You Should Care
- What Burnout Looks Like in a Type 1 Diabetic
- World Diabetes Day is About Visibility
- What I’ve Learned from 20 Years at Panther Camp
- 4 Things Type 1 Diabetics Have to Watch Out For
- How to React When Family Members Joke About Diabetes
- This is What a Day as a Type 1 Diabetic Looks Like
Community & Social
- Join us in the Half-Dead Pancreas Club, our private Discord community for people with T1D.
- Follow us on Instagram @thisistype1pod, @jj_crystalkat, & @type1ravenclaw
- Follow us on Facebook
Choose Where to Listen
Credits
Our music is by Joseph McDade. Check out his website here!
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