Managing Stress and Diabetes in Everyday Life

Living with diabetes is a journey that touches every part of my life—home, work, relationships, and self-care. Some days, it feels like a full-time job, constantly balancing blood glucose levels, planning meals, fitting in some exercise, set changes, calibrating my pump, making sure I have enough insulin in the fridge, and worrying about the scares that are left after a site change and not to mention keeping up with appointments. Despite the help I get from Bob (my trusty Medtronic pump), the pressure and anxiety of managing my condition are still present. And for many of us, the emotional load can be just as challenging. It’s not just about insulin doses or carb counting; it’s about navigating the mental toll of managing a condition that never takes a day off.

Stress is a factor in all our lives. As a diabetic, the addition of stress can mean havoc on my blood glucose levels. With the unpredictability of blood glucose levels, it could mean blood glucose levels spike right before an important meeting for example, or the guilt of indulging in a slice of cake, or the constant concern about long-term complications, diabetes has a way of amplifying life’s daily pressures. In addition to that, the roles we play—parent, partner, professional, mother—can sometimes be overwhelming.

Finding My Way Through Stress

Over the years, I’ve learned that admitting when things get hard is okay. Pretending everything is fine doesn’t make the challenges disappear; more importantly, it doesn’t serve me or my family. So, I’ve leaned into practices that help me find balance.

• Journaling for Clarity: I recently started journaling. I went online and found a journal that I’d enjoy looking at and picking up daily. So I stumbled upon Papier journals. This is not an advertisement, just a decent and aesthetically pleasing journal to write in with top-quality paper. Writing has become my lifeline. It allows me to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Journaling gives me a safe space to acknowledge frustrations, celebrate small victories, and see patterns in how stress affects my health. It also served as a reminder to check in with myself.

• Sharing and Connecting: For the longest time, I kept my struggles bottled up, believing I had to bear the weight alone. But opening up to loved ones and online communities has been profoundly healing. Sharing a heartfelt conversation with a friend or connecting with others who truly understand the challenges of diabetes has eased my burden. My friends and family may not realise how much their support means—simply listening with empathy, offering positive reinforcement and diminishing my stress levels, or giving thoughtful advice has helped me navigate the toughest moments with newfound clarity and strength.
• Prioritising Self-Care: Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. I carve out time for short walks, quiet moments with a good book, working out, getting a massage, and doing something fun that brings out my inner child again or even just a deep breath when the day feels overwhelming.

I love doing things with my kids. We recently did Total Ninja together. A great fun activity to do as an adult to bring out your inner child 🙂 Being an adult doesn’t mean don’t have any fun……

These acts of kindness towards myself remind me that I’m not just managing diabetes; I’m managing life and life is also for living and enjoying. There’s a moment for everything with balance.

I also love to listen to podcasts or music

Tips for Navigating Stress with Diabetes

• Acknowledge the Hard Days: It’s natural to feel frustrated or overwhelmed—allow yourself grace to accept those moments without judgment.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Managing blood glucose during stressful times is a triumph. For example, stress often causes my blood glucose levels to drop. To prevent multiple hypoglycemic episodes, I’ve adjusted the background settings on my insulin pump to deliver less basal insulin during these periods, effectively limiting fluctuations.
• Build Your Support Network: Lean on friends, family, or connect with others who truly understand. Through my Instagram page, I’ve met fellow T1Ds who share invaluable insights into diabetes stress. Beyond that, exploring non-diabetes interests, like my French language club, reminds me that I am so much more than my condition.
• Educate Yourself: Understanding how stress impacts your diabetes equips you with the knowledge to regain control. It empowers better decision-making and fosters resilience.

Remember – Seeking help through therapy or counseling isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an act of strength.

A Journey, Not a Destination

Managing diabetes and stress is an ongoing process. There’s no perfect formula, but every day is a chance to try again, to prioritise self-care, and to remind ourselves that we’re not alone. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been navigating this path for years, know that your feelings are valid and support is out there. Together, we can lighten the load and focus on what truly matters—living a life that feels full, balanced, and meaningful.

Let’s keep the conversation going. How do you manage stress and diabetes? Share your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by

Amina xx