Mental health has become a focus of attention during times of COVID. We have begun to accept mental health problems as a reality, which is a good step towards seeking professional help. Rapid urbanization, the breakdown of traditional families, living alone, increased competition in school, college, and the workplace all add to our moody feeling. Our mental well-being affects all parts of our lives. When we are stressed we can make wrong decisions, have low self-esteem and influence how we manage our professional or personal relationships. Simply put, how we feel and think makes our lives happy or not so happy.
Diabetes and mental health have a significant relationship. It is well established that total health includes both a healthy mind and body. Our thoughts, feelings, and how we react to the environment around us are all important to maintaining overall health. It is seen that the mental health problem makes it difficult to manage a necessary lifestyle to control diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar levels. This can lead to additional medical problems that will negatively affect our mental health.
Some common mental health problems and their manifestations in diabetics:
1. Depression is when you constantly feel sad for no reason: Depression leads to a loss of interest in all the things that were normally important to you and that you enjoyed doing. In such a situation, you may land ignoring going out for your daily walk; You may not get your blood tests or doctor appointments on time because you just don’t want to meet anyone. Again, due to depression, you may not be taking your medications on time, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels over a long period of time are known to increase the risk of nerve damage, increased risk of heart disease, and impaired kidney health.
WHAT TO DO: Ask for help. Talk to your doctor and meet a mental health specialist who will help you cope. Ask a family member or friend to support your effort. Therapy for depression in diabetes has been found to be very effective in helping to get life back on track.
FOOD THERAPY: Eat foods rich in antioxidants such as red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, papaya, guava, and tomatoes, are also known to protect the brain against oxidative stress damage. Complex carbohydrates from whole grains and legumes keep sugar levels stable and ensure constant fuel for the brain and ant at all times while calming the mind. The tryptophan in low-fat dairy products will help you sleep well.
2. Stress and anxiety are common words of modern lifestyle. From meeting family demands to managing long work hours, including extended commute time and traffic jams – they all trigger and add stress to our lives. It makes us irritable, short-tempered and can manifest as an increased heart rate and/or profuse sweating. With diabetics, two things are important: A feeling of stress can prevent you from following the daily regimen necessary to control blood sugar levels. Second, stress promotes a greater release of stress hormones that promote sugar fluctuations that are detrimental to health.
WHAT TO DO: Try meditation, yoga and other forms of physical activity as they help calm your nerves and the effect can be felt for hours afterwards. Take some time for yourself, getting away from the point of stress or the person and just “chilling out” is the best way to deal with the situation.
FOOD THERAPY: Eat foods that help control the stress hormone cortisol, which when high will cause inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. The stress busters in your diet are all-natural foods—eliminate all processed foods. Magnesium – Found in nuts, seeds, whole grains, bananas, and legumes, omega-3 fats from salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, and gut-healthy probiotics like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha are proven stress-fighting remedies.
Diabetes it is a lifelong condition and therefore the diagnosis can be very distressing. Find the right team of diabetologist, nutritionist, diabetes educator and life coach. They are trained to support you in all the scenarios that can occur in a chronic condition. Diabetes is a chronic condition, but all it takes is a little discipline and a lot of support around you; so don’t hide your condition. Instead, share it with family and close friends, who know they can become your health guru.
Stay happy, stay healthy.
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author.
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