There is plenty of research to tell us how to manage diabetes, treat diabetes, and even prevent type 2 diabetes. Unlimited resources fill the interweb, giving you, the reader, plenty of opportunities to live a healthy life with diabetes.
But what about the other stuff? What about wellness, happiness, and a stress-free life? Because these things are not only important to you as a person, but they are particularly important to you as a diabetic.
Diabetes brings about a significant amount of stress on the body, which often leads to secondary ailments and diseases. While you are managing your blood glucose, then, it is also worth managing the stress that you put on your body.
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After all, you want to support your body in its fight against diabetes, right? Right. Here are 5 ways that heading outdoors can do just that.
1. Lowers The Stress Hormone Cortisol
There is tons of research that points to this, but one study in particular really stands out. A Dutch study found that spending time outdoors in nature fights stress better than perhaps any other leisure activity. In the study, a group was instructed to read indoors for 30 minutes after being given a stressful task. The other group, also given the stressful task, was instructed to read outdoors for 30 minutes.
Those who read in the garden reported being in a less-stressed, better mood than the indoor readers. Not only that, but they also had lower levels of cortisol, too.
The moral of the study? Even if you don’t have time to head to the nearest forest, you can still benefit from being outside. Head out to your backyard for 30 minutes and do what you might have done inside. You will feel better!
2. Improves Your Sleep Patterns
Getting natural sunlight helps regulate melatonin production. Melatonin, an all natural hormone, regulates your body’s internal clock. This means that you will be able to fall asleep more easily when you’re supposed to. It also means that you will be able to get up in the morning more easily, too.
Poor sleep habits can increase your risk for diabetes, as I’ve already written about here. So why not harness the power of the sunshine to improve your sleep habits?
3. Increases Serotonin
In this case, you might want to take off your shoes and go for a walk around your garden. According to a study from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a certain bacteria commonly found in soil works as a natural antidepressant. It does so by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps regulate mood.
The bacteria also decreases inflammation in the immune system, which is essentially the most damaging part of diabetes. So get your feet dirty!
4. Releases Endorphins
Exercise increases the production of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that make you feel pretty good. In fact, many runners become addicted to the sport as they are constantly chasing that “runner’s high” that is fueled by endorphins. And don’t you want to feel good? So go for a walk outside and get those endorphins flowing!
Being outdoors won’t necessarily cure you of diabetes, though wouldn’t that be nice? Instead, it will make your life with diabetes a whole lot more enjoyable!
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Mental Floss. URL Link. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
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