A meditation has gained attention as an effective technique to help control Type 1 Diabetes. This is because emotional and physical stress can trigger fluctuations in blood glucose levels, making it difficult to control diabetes. Meditation, by promoting relaxation and mental calm, can help reduce these effects. Let's better understand how this practice can be beneficial for diabetes control.
Stress activates the fight or flight response of the body, which leads to the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones, in turn, increase blood glucose levels, as the body understands that it needs extra energy to handle the stressful situation.
For people with Type 1 Diabetes, this response can be harmful, as it makes it difficult to control blood glucose. Frequent episodes of stress can cause hyperglycaemia and, if left untreated, can lead to long-term complications.
Meditation offers an effective way to control stress and thus minimize the negative impact on blood glucose.
Regular meditation practice has shown several benefits for people with Type 1 Diabetes. One of the main ones is reduced cortisol, the stress hormone. With lower cortisol levels, the body is able to keep its blood glucose more stable throughout the day.
In addition, meditation improves overall well-being, helping to cope with emotions and daily stress. It also contributes to a better sleep quality, another important factor in glycemic control, since lack of sleep can increase insulin resistance.
Practicing meditation regularly also improves mindfulness, allowing you to connect more with your body and notice the signs of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia more quickly.
If you've never meditated before, you can start with short sessions, from 5 to 10 minutes per day. Find a quiet spot, sit back comfortably and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing, feeling air flow in and out of your lungs. Whenever your mind wanders, gently bring the focus back to the breath.
There are also meditation apps that can guide your sessions and help you maintain regularity. Over time, you can increase the length of the sessions and explore different meditation techniques, such as Guided meditation, Mindfulness or Transcendental meditation.
For the best results, try to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. Many practitioners prefer to meditate first thing in the morning to start the day with more calm and focus. Others find it helpful to meditate at night, as a way to relax and de-stress before bed.
The most important thing is to find a time that works for you and maintain regularity. Even a few minutes of meditation a day can have significant benefits for controlling Type 1 Diabetes, reducing stress and helping to stabilize blood glucose.
