According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), high levels of stress can have negative effects on your blood sugar levels. That’s why it’s important to practice good relaxation techniques to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. The ADA recommends the following:

• Breathing exercises. Sit or lie down and uncross your legs and arms. Take in a deep breath. Then push out as much air as you can and relax your muscles. Do these exercises for a minimum of five minutes at least once a day.
• Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. If a negative thought is going through your mind, replace it with something that makes you happy or peaceful. You may also visualize a favorite nature scene to lessen anxiety and promote more serenity.

In diabetics blood glucose levels can be affected by many factors including diet, exercise, stress, and illness. In non-diabetic people, stress can cause a release of hormones that temporarily increases blood sugar in order for the body to adequately react to the stressor. People with diabetes can't always handle this response, so sugars can remain more elevated than they would otherwise.

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