Research published in Diabetes Care (January 2002) found that stress management can help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The study included 108 participants age 30 and older, all of whom completed a diabetes education program. One group received additional training in stress-reduction techniques—including breathing exercises, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, and coping skills—while the control group did not.
The group receiving stress-management training saw their HbA1c drop by an average of 0.5%, and nearly one-third achieved a full 1% reduction. The findings suggest that managing stress may support better blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
