Question:
I guess all I'm asking is are there any tips for relieving the feeling of
stress (churning stomach, lack of appetite etc), which I thing would in turn
get my sugars down to more normal levels?
Any tips or am I just feeling whiny and sorry for myself...?
Answer:
If you are otherwise healthy, and your doctor agrees, I would
recommend exercise. A combination of aerobic exercise and some lifting does
wonders. I'm 50 yrs. old and type 2. Tonight I thought I was too tired to
go to the gym. ( Stress working on my mind ) I really wanted to just crash
on the couch. After an hour of sweating I left with more energy than when I
entered. A pleasant, more relaxed sort of tired.
Walking is OK, but for it to have the same stress relieving effect for me I
have to push to walk sort of fast, and get the pulse rate up.
I recommend taking a Reiki course. Reiki is an Asian form of energy
"healing." I put healing in quotation marks, because I'm not at all
convinced that it heals anything, but what I do know from personal
experience is that it's very easy and incredibly relaxing. It can really
make you feel calmer for quite a while. You can do it any time, when
you're sitting in your office, or whatever. Very simple and effective.
You can either go to a Reiki healing circle or a practitioner and get a
treatment, or spend about 100-150 dollars, take the course yourself
(usually 1-2 days) and do it for yourself and loved ones. My kids love
it. I do it for them when they're having trouble sleeping and it never
fails to get them snoring in a matter of moments.
Check out any alternative learning centers in your area; hospitals might
also know of practitioners or teachers in your area, since some
hospitals use energy healing to promote relaxation in patients.
I have found that the more I exercise, the lower my stress levels. Don't ask me
for a scientific explanation, but it has also worked for many, many others.
Sounds like a typical responce to stress. 200 doesn't sound that bad as
long as it's not for an extended period.
I've been type I for 25 years and my job is extremely stressful, esp last
8 months. I've found that serious confrontations raise my bg from 3 to 23
in a matter of minutes. nothing you can do in this case but take some H
or r to compensate.
As for long term stress, like you describe; your logic is sound in
adjusting your insulin. Try adding more basal insulin like U and you
should not have to adjust your CHO intake or H dosage.
It's been my expereince that the body adjusts to the higher stress level
and in time (days or weeks) your basal requirement will gradually return
to normal.
Stress-management may be my biggest challenge as a diabetic. I've found
that the best *immediate* stress-relief for me is exercise -- I always
feel better after I've gone for a brisk walk. Part of this is mental,
I'm sure -- while I'm walking, I try to let go of whatever is bothering
me and instead look at the scenery, greet the people I meet, enjoy the
breeze, and so forth. So it's important to go walking in a pleasant
place. Walking on the treadmill at the gym, while better than nothing,
isn't nearly as effective (or pleasant) -- at least for me.
The suggestion of Reiki sounds like a good one to me, though I've never
tried it myself. I practice yoga regularly, and I believe that it helps
me manage my stress both in the short and long run; of course it may not
be practical to do yoga poses while at your desk at work, but the medita-
tion and breathing techniques can be done anywhere.
