Introduction
This article will explore the connection between mindfulness meditation practices for diabetes. Meditation is a practice that has been used for centuries by people of all professions. It has been proven to be an effective way to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Mindfulness and meditation are both forms of self-care that can help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels. Mindfulness is about being present in the moment, which can be difficult for someone who has diabetes since they have to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. Meditation is a form of self-care, but it doesn’t require as much focus on one’s health as mindfulness does.
The benefits of meditation for people with diabetes are shown in the studies to control their blood sugar levels. They can also reduce stress and anxiety which is a major causes of diabetes. In addition, meditation can help increase focus and concentration, and improve sleep quality. All of these factors can lead to better blood sugar control and overall health.
Diabetes poses major life stresses that require considerable physical, emotional, and psychological accommodation and coping. This heavy burden is related to at least four principal factors:
- Anxiety. Studies that examine people with diabetes found that their mental health and everyday behavior had a 20% greater chance than people without diabetes to express anxiety conditions at some time in their life. It was found that people over 30 years of age and Hispanics had the greatest levels of anxiety.
- Depression. People with diabetes are more likely to have depression. The number of diabetics who will have depression in their life is running at 25%. This rate of depression for diabetics is similar to other severe prolonged illnesses and points to the unlikely cause being related to genetic reasons for the depression and diabetes. Depression is very common in people with diabetes, it can be long-lasting and severe, and it may be treated more than half the time. Diabetics should be screened regularly for depression as this is a long-term condition. Especially for people who are susceptible to depression.
- Social burden. Diabetes has been shown to interfere with social interactions and relationships, just as it has with anxiety and depression. The impact of stigmatization is significant if you’re not aware of it.
- Diabetes complications Diabetes places physical stress on all parts of the body. This results in diabetics being 70% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Also, diabetics have a greater than > 5% chance to lose eyesight in one or both eyes. Amputation of toes or worse, portions of a leg, are 10% greater and roughly 5% will have to deal with end-stage renal disease. Depression, anxiety, and poor quality of life can be caused by these and other major problems of diabetes.
Apart from the obvious physical symptoms, such as having to prick your finger several times a day to check your blood sugar levels, or feeling tired and run down, stress can also manifest itself in other ways. You might start to feel anxious or depressed, have trouble sleeping or lose your appetite. If you’re struggling to cope, it’s important to talk to someone about how you’re feeling – your doctor, a diabetes nurse, or a counselor.
It can be really stressful worrying about having to check your blood sugar levels a lot or inject yourself with insulin every day. The anxiety of not knowing what the results will say or feeling nervous about needles can be overwhelming. When you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you have to change your lifestyle. If you don’t the unseen damage to your body will cause a greater problem than injections and adjusting your diet.
In fact, lifestyle changes can help to reduce the effects of type 2 diabetes to the point that you don’t have to take injections. Everyone is different and the only way to know for sure how lifestyle changes will affect you is to commit to the changes and see how it affects your blood sugar.
The stress of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can often lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as overeating. It’s important to be aware of this response to your new condition and take steps to avoid turning to food for comfort. Taking up a healthy hobby or form of exercise can help you manage your stress in a more productive way. You need to eat foods that will support your new condition. Don’t make yourself feel bad for falling off the wagon, because you eat well, and don’t beat yourself up for it. You should get back on and start doing the same things again.
One of the best ways to manage type 2 diabetes is by joining a group of fellow diabetics and sharing your story. This way, you can learn from others who have experienced the highs and lows of living with this condition. You can also get support and encouragement from others who understand what you’re going through.
Diabetes is a real physical condition. As we have mentioned all systems of the body are affected, some more than others. It has real consequences if the progression is not realized. Diabetes is a silent disease that sneaks up on the person. Perhaps this is a major reason for the chances of depression. You don’t realize how stressed one’s body systems are becoming. It becomes denial that something is wrong. In not accepting the condition one isn’t willing to make changes that will slow and in many cases reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes.
Accepting the condition and having a positive mindset is a major step in living with the diabetic condition. A can-do mindset will allow one to make changes and live a reasonably healthy life. Many folks have made the mental mind switch. You don’t have to do it alone, there are many groups you can connect with. Social media is one place to check out. Share your story with others and see how you feel. You’ll know when you find the group for you. You can do it.
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Read more: Diabetes UK, NCBI
