Stress and Blood Sugar

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Last reviewed: October 9, 2026 · Sources: CDC, NIH/NIDDK, American Diabetes Association

Stress is a normal part of life, but it can have a real effect on blood glucose and on your ability to take care of diabetes. Both physical stress, such as illness or injury, and emotional stress, such as work pressure, money worries, or family conflict, can raise blood glucose. Living with diabetes can itself be stressful. This guide explains how stress affects blood sugar, how to recognize diabetes distress, and practical ways to manage stress. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a health care professional.

How stress raises blood glucose

When you face a threat or challenge, your body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline (epinephrine). This "fight or flight" response prepares the body for action by making more energy available. These hormones signal the liver to release stored glucose and make the body's cells less responsive to insulin. In people without diabetes, the pancreas makes extra insulin to balance this. In people with diabetes, the body may not be able to compensate, so blood glucose rises.

Short bursts of stress may cause a temporary rise. Ongoing (chronic) stress can keep stress hormones elevated and contribute to higher glucose over time.

Physical stress

Physical stressors that can raise blood glucose include:

This is one reason a sick-day plan is so important. See managing diabetes when you're sick.

Emotional stress

Emotional stress can affect blood glucose directly through stress hormones and indirectly through behavior. When stressed, people may:

Responses vary. Some people notice their glucose rises with stress, while others see little change or even drops, particularly if they skip meals. Tracking your glucose along with notes about stressful events can help you learn your own pattern. See checking blood sugar and CGMs.

Diabetes distress

Diabetes requires daily decisions about food, activity, medicines, and monitoring. Over time, this can lead to diabetes distress: feelings of frustration, worry, guilt, or burnout related to managing diabetes. You might feel overwhelmed by the demands of care, worried about complications, discouraged by glucose numbers, or unsupported by others. Diabetes distress is common and is different from depression, although the two can overlap. The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care recommend that health care teams screen for diabetes distress and other psychosocial concerns.

Signs of diabetes distress include:

Depression and anxiety

People with diabetes are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than people without diabetes. Depression can make self-care harder, and poorly managed diabetes can worsen mood. Signs of depression include feeling sad or empty most of the day, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness. MedlinePlus has information on learning about depression.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.

Practical ways to manage stress

There is no single right way to manage stress. Try different approaches to find what works for you. MedlinePlus offers a helpful overview of stress and how to cope.

Move your body

Physical activity reduces stress hormones, improves mood, and helps lower blood glucose. Even a 10-minute walk can help. See exercise and diabetes.

Breathe and relax

Slow, deep breathing can calm the stress response. Try breathing in slowly through your nose for a count of four, holding briefly, and breathing out slowly through your mouth. Other relaxation methods include progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and tai chi.

Get enough sleep

Poor sleep raises stress and glucose. Aim for a regular sleep schedule. See sleep and diabetes.

Stay connected

Talking with friends, family, or others living with diabetes can ease stress. Diabetes support groups, in person or online, can help you feel less alone.

Break tasks into smaller steps

If diabetes care feels overwhelming, focus on one or two goals at a time, such as taking medicines consistently or adding a daily walk. Small successes build confidence.

Problem-solve

Identify specific sources of stress and what you can change. If cost of supplies is a worry, ask your provider or pharmacist about lower-cost options. If time is a problem, look for simple routines, such as preparing meals ahead.

Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco

Alcohol and smoking can seem to relieve stress short term but make diabetes harder to manage. See alcohol and diabetes.

Make time for enjoyable activities

Hobbies, time outdoors, music, and laughter all help reduce stress.

Be kind to yourself

Glucose numbers are information, not a grade. Everyone has out-of-range readings. Focus on patterns and progress rather than perfection.

Get professional support

Talk with your health care provider if stress, distress, anxiety, or depression is affecting your life or diabetes care. Options include:

Stress in caregivers and families

Parents of children with diabetes and caregivers of adults with diabetes also experience significant stress. Caregivers need support too, including breaks, help from others, and their own health care. See diabetes in children and teens.

Stress and other health conditions

Chronic stress is linked with high blood pressure and heart disease, which are already more common in people with diabetes. Managing stress supports overall health. See diabetes and heart health.

Frequently asked questions

Can stress cause diabetes?

Stress alone does not cause diabetes, but chronic stress can contribute to unhealthy habits, weight gain, and poor sleep, which raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. In people who already have diabetes, stress can make glucose harder to manage.

Why does my glucose go up before a big event?

Anticipation, excitement, and nervousness can trigger stress hormones that raise glucose. Some people notice this before public speaking, tests, competitions, or medical appointments. Checking more often around these events can help you learn your pattern.

Is diabetes burnout the same as depression?

Not exactly. Diabetes burnout or distress is specifically about the emotional burden of managing diabetes. Depression affects mood and functioning more broadly. They can occur together, and both deserve attention and support.

Key takeaways

Sources

Links to the sources cited above appear in the text. We rely on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

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