Six Surprising Ways to Lower Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, and Boost Your Mood

Six Surprising Ways to Lower Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, and Boost Your Mood

Feb 01, 2024

Beyond medications and diet control, I've discovered many ways to stabilize blood sugars over a lifetime of study (and even wrote a book about it). Here are six easy and surprising methods to lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and raise your mood:

  1. Laugh
  2. Stretch
  3. Take a Bath or Shower
  4. Drink Water
  5. Isometric Exercise
  6. Breathwork
    These unconventional methods temporarily lower blood pressure by relaxing muscular tension and lower blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity. It's important to note that these methods are not meant to replace standard medical advice and treatments for managing high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for appropriate guidance and treatment.

    1. Laughing

    Laughter is known to have various positive effects on the body, including reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals. This can help lower stress levels, and reduced stress may positively impact blood pressure. While laughter's impact on blood sugar levels is modest, it can still contribute to overall mood improvement. Note that while laughter can be a valuable part of stress management, it should not be relied upon as the sole method for managing blood sugar and blood pressure. (Caveat: Be cautious with hot baths due to neuropathy.)

    2. Stretching

    Stretching, mainly through activities like yoga or gentle stretching exercises, can promote relaxation and improve flexibility. Relaxation techniques, including stretching, can help reduce stress and its associated impact on blood pressure. Regular physical activity, including stretching, can also improve blood sugar management. However, the effects of stretching alone on blood sugar levels may not be significant. Utilize yoga as an isometric exercise to improve your state of mind and enhance focus. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and medical guidance are recommended for optimal blood sugar and blood pressure management.

    3. Taking a Hot Bath (or Shower)

    Taking a hot bath or shower can induce a sense of relaxation and help relieve muscle tension. Warm water immersion may lead to temporary dilation of blood vessels, which could have a minor effect on blood pressure. Extreme heat (in baths, hot tubs, or sunburns) can cause blood vessels to dilate, making insulin absorb more quickly and lower blood sugar (sometimes too low!). Additionally, warm baths reduce stress, indirectly benefiting blood pressure levels.

    4. Drinking Water

    Drinking water can play a role in managing blood sugar, particularly for people with diabetes. If you are experiencing high blood sugar, drinking plenty of water can help your kidneys flush the sugar out. Drinking water helps the body process glucose and can prevent dehydration-related spikes in blood sugar. However, while hydration is essential, solely relying on water intake to lower blood pressure or blood sugar levels would be inadequate. A comprehensive approach that includes dietary changes, exercise, and potentially medication under medical guidance is necessary.

    5. Isometric Exercise

    Doing isometric exercises, such as mountain pose, happy baby, chair pose, or most yoga poses, will burn many calories. Studies comparing dynamic (DRT) and isometric (IRT) resistance training and their effects on blood glucose, muscle redox capacity, inflammatory state, and muscle strength and hypertrophy found that DRT increases inflammation more, and isometrics significantly burn calories and lower blood sugar.

    6. Breathwork (Pranayama)

    Pranayama, such as Khalaphati or Bhastrika (or Bellows Breath), helps reduce blood sugar levels. This breathing exercise involves rapid inhalation and exhalation by pumping the abdominals in, letting the lungs fill naturally twenty times, and then breathing normally. The Sanskrit word Bhastrika means "bellows" and describes filling and emptying the abdomen and lungs during practice. Practicing Bhastrika pranayama can increase metabolism and the uptake of sugar in peripheral tissues.

    Summary

    These activities — pranayama, laughing, stretching, getting hot (via a sauna, jacuzzi, hot bath, or shower), drinking more water than usual, and doing some extra isometrics — can contribute positively to overall health and well-being. However, they should not be considered standalone methods for effectively managing blood sugar and blood pressure. For individuals with concerns about these health markers, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for tailored guidance and treatment options. Lifestyle changes, proper medication (if necessary), regular medical check-ups, and a well-balanced diet and exercise are crucial components of blood sugar and blood pressure management.
    If you have concerns about your blood pressure, it's best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and appropriate treatment.
    Nothing to laugh about? I've been there. Try laughter yoga, where you laugh anyway.
    Stay healthy and safe in all ways!
    Click below to meet with me.



    Karin, Diabetic, Health Coach, and Business Consultant


    Sources

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