When we think of diabetes management, we often focus on diet and physical activity. However, stress management, and in particular deep breathing exercises, can also play a crucial role. Chronic stress can lead to higher blood glucose levels and affect overall health. This blog highlights how deep breathing exercises can be a powerful tool in managing stress and improving overall diabetes control.

Recommended Deep Breathing Techniques

Here are four powerful deep breathing techniques that can help manage stress, potentially improve blood sugar control, and enhance overall well-being for individuals living with diabetes:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: A simple technique that involves inhaling deeply through your nose and allowing your belly to expand, then exhaling slowly through your nose as you feel your belly fall.
• 4-7-8 Breathing Technique: Another beneficial technique where you inhale through your nose for a count of 4, hold your breath for 7 counts and finally exhale through your mouth for 8 counts.
• Mindful Breathing: Here you focus on each breath as you inhale peace and exhale stress.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique combines deep breathing with tensing and relaxing various muscle groups while inhaling and exhaling.

The Impact of Deep Breathing on Diabetes Management

Now that we have learnt a few types of deep breathing exercises, let us understand the impact of deep breathing on diabetes management:

• Lowering Stress Levels: Exercises like diaphragmatic breathing activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which aids relaxation and reduces stress. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes, as extended periods of stress can impact blood sugar levels negatively.
• Better Blood Sugar Control: Slow, deep breathing exercises have been found to reduce cortisol levels, leading to improved fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. For example, a mix of aerobics, slow deep breathing, Yogic Pranayamas and mindfulness meditation significantly reduced cortisol and FBG levels in stressed individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• Improved Emotional Health: Regular practice of deep breathing exercises aids in reducing anxiety and depression which are frequently observed amongst individuals with diabetes. The resultant mental health improvement supports better diabetes management.

With the regular practice of these exercises, individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce stress leading to better blood sugar management and improved emotional health. The Apollo Super 6 programme is designed to complement such lifestyle changes and provide tailored support to manage type 2 diabetes effectively.