Almost a decade ago, I was diagnosed as a borderline diabetic. That gave me the scare of my life. I asked the doctor what makes blood sugar levels spike to that point. He gave me the following four factors:
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of rest
- Lack of exercise
- Stress
Out of the four factors he gave, I am guilty of three. I realized that there needs to be a drastic change in my lifestyle if I don’t want to deal with diabetes for the rest of my life.
Allow me to share with you what helped me in my journey as a potential diabetic. The following are based on specialist recommendations and research.
7 Ways to Normalize Blood Sugar Levels
1. Monitor your blood sugar regularly.
What can be measured can be managed. Make it a habit to have your blood sugar level checked regularly. You may consult with a neuropathy doctor in Long Beach or Brooklyn or wherever you are. They can make recommendations on how frequent you should check your blood sugar level.
2. Do not compromise with exercise.
Exercise does not only make you lose weight but it also makes you increase your insulin sensitivity. This means that your cells can better utilize the sugar found in your bloodstream.
Exercise lets your muscles convert the sugar in your blood into energy and use it for muscle contraction. Recommended exercises to reduce blood sugar levels include running, biking, swimming, dancing, weight lifting, brisk walking, and a lot more.
3. Control your sugar and carb intake.
If you can’t completely avoid sugar and glucose now, try controlling the amount of your sugar and carb intake. The body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose and sugar, which are then moved into the cells by insulin. Eating too many carbs and sugar will cause this natural process to fail and make blood sugar levels rise.
4. Drink plenty of water.
Drinking plenty of water is not only good for hydration, but it also helps your kidney flush out the excess sugar from your system through urine.
5. Eat things in moderation.
Eating in moderation and monitoring your serving sizes helps bring down calorie intake and reduce the risk of blood sugar spikes. The more control you have over your portion sizes, the more in control you are of your blood sugar levels.
6. Manage your stress level.
This one may be a bit tricky compared to the rest because we are all subject to stress daily. From the challenges at work to the problems we face at home, stress is, unfortunately, a constant in our lives.
A good way to battle stress is to find regular times for exercise, meditation, and relaxation. Be sure to include time for self-care daily as it helps control your blood sugar.
7. Get plenty of sleep and rest.
One of the consequences of lack of sleep and rest is it increases your appetite which can lead to weight gain. It decreases the body’s production of growth hormones and brings up your cortisol levels, both of which are important in blood sugar level control.
With discipline and consistency, as you follow these specialist’s recommendations, you can bring your blood sugar level to normal. Don’t compromise your health by neglecting your blood sugar. Life is too short. Don’t let it go to waste.
