The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.
More and more studies are showing just how important social relationships are to our health and well-being, including managing your glucose —who knew? So call a friend, make a plan, and read on to learn more.
Build a social support circle
It’s true—social connections are a positive when it comes to impacting your glucose. Your diabetes management may require you to make changes to your lifestyle or daily habits, like meals and activities. Support from family and friends helps you have a better chance of experiencing more wins and stay motivated.
Family connection can be the most important type of social support for people trying to manage diabetes. If you live with family, they can be more involved with directly supporting your efforts. They may be able to help monitor your glucose levels, support your heathy habits, and be there for more conversations around your health. If they’re near you more than anyone else in your social circle, they may know you best and can more easily check in with you. They care about your well-being and want the best for you and may be able to consistently show that, which can be a boost to your morale.
Good habits are easier to keep when your social circle is involved. Try joining a new exercise class with your friend or go for daily walks with a neighbor. Having an accountability partner will be a win-win for you both. Additionally, if you join a class and meet new friends or even acquaintances in it, you may feel more motivated to attend since you’ll be building new relationships. A new exercise class that may have started as something you dread can evolve into something you’re looking forward to.
Connect for less stress
Human connection is also a stress-reliever. It can help to have people in your life who help you feel seen and heard, those you know you can talk to. Ever had a conversation with a friend and felt the stress melt away at the same time? That’s what we’re talking about here.
This type of connection may not only reduce your immediate stress levels but can also lower the stress hormone cortisol. Heightened cortisol raises blood pressure and heart rate, among other physical effects, so your health will thank you for keeping it in check. By taking care of yourself in these ways, you can find your mood and well-being improve, too.
Good friends make for good health
Our lives move so fast these days, making it hard to find time to connect with friends and family. We may not even notice it happening, but when social connection is put on the back burner, it can have a negative impact on our health.
When we feel isolated or lonely, our mental health is affected, which in turn affects our physical health. People may experience poor weight control, lower physical activity, and worse sleep quality than if they had consistent social interaction. These factors can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, independently and together.
The good news is that the answer is pretty straightforward: Hanging out with people that fill your cup is great for your health. You’ll want to figure out what kind of connection makes you thrive and aim for more of that. Whether it's deep conversations with a close friend or attending parties with lots of people to interact with, you’ll want to do what works best for you and meets your needs.
Although social connection happens on the outside, it has a profound effect on your insides—both physically and mentally. Creating and maintaining social relationships can help you manage your diabetes. It may take some effort, but you, and your health, are more than worth it.
Curated & reviewed by: Jennifer Wenzel-Wamhoff
PharmD, BC-ADM, CDCES
PharmD, BC-ADM, CDCES
Jennifer Wenzel-Wamhoff is a highly experienced pharmacist with BC-ADM and CDCES diabetes certifications.
