How Prioritizing Sleep Helps Me Manage My Blood Sugar

Nikki knows that it’s very important to get quality sleep when it comes to managing her Type 2 diabetes. That’s because a lack of proper sleep may worsen insulin resistance.

“When I'm able to rest, my glucose levels, they definitely fall in the normal  ranges,” she explains. 

Here are some of the ways she manages to get a good night of rest:

• Blackout curtains: Blocking out extra light may make it easier to sleep.

• Meditating before bed: Nikki uses meditation apps on her phone to wind down and relax her mind.

• Dimming the lights in the evening: With her lights on a dimmer setting, it signals to Nikki that it’s soon time to turn in.

• Decaf tea and pleasant scents: A soothing cup of tea and essential oil in her diffuser allow Nikki to ease into some quiet time before bed.

• Soothing paint color for bedroom walls: “I chose to go with a dark setting in my bedroom,” Nikki says. “It makes you feel cozy and intimate.”

• Create a relaxing space: She has turned her bedroom into a sanctuary, adding high-thread count sheets and a comfortable pillow to enhance her sleep.

You can read more about Nikki’s experience with Type 2 diabetes here and how she manages her A1C here.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to practicing medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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