Stress management for diabetes control

It's the millennium catchword stress and everyone experiences it. But managing stress can help diabetics control blood sugar.

Doctors at Duke University studied 108 type II diabetics over age 30. After one year, they found those who received stress counselling and muscle relaxation therapy had 0.5-percent lower hemoglobin A1C values, indicating better long-term blood sugar control.

Diabetes Care published these results in January 2002 good news for Canada's two million diabetics. Yet anyone can benefit from reducing stress.

Whenever you feel stressed, just breathe. Inhale through your nose, fill your abdomen with air, count to five; then release through your mouth. Repeat 10 times.

Regular exercise 20 to 30 minutes daily relieves stress and provides multiple other physical and mental benefits.

Since stress depletes nutrients, take a multivitamin to ensure your nutritional bases are covered. A B-vitamin complex will help counteract stress symptoms.

Much stress is self-inflicted, caused by poor self-talk and unrealistic expectations. Learn to be less critical of yourself and just say "no" when you're feeling overwhelmed.