A lot has been written about stress and its effects on the body. All the data concludes that stress negatively affects the body and is the cause or the facilitator of disease. Here's how that works….

Chronic stress creates excessive levels of cortisol, impairing the function of the hippocampus, leading to neuronal atrophy and destruction of neurons, decreased short term and contextual memory, and poor regulation of the endocrine response to stress.

Chronic stress affects the immune system by increasing sympathetic activity and decreasing cellular immunity. Immune cells migrate to different parts of the body and can worsen autoimmune and allergic conditions. Over time, this creates a suppression of the natural positive acute mobilization of immune cells to the point of challenge.

The effects of chronic stress can create significant damage to the cardiovascular system by increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, elevating blood pressure, increasing atherosclerosis, increasing risk of myocardial infarction, increasing the risk of diabetes, and increasing the likelihood of obesity.

The Litvin Center 's for Diabetes recommends taking active measures to reduce your stress. Although this is easier said than done due to today's hectic lifestyles and little time for yourself, it is a benefit to you both short term and long term. We recommend the following to help you reduce your stress:

Get enough sleep: The average person needs between 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day. Sleep is the cornerstone of health. It's also the cornerstone people tend to disrespect more than most health fundamentals. Most of us are chronically sleep deprived, don't know how much sleep we actually need, and are woefully misinformed on this key health indicator. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder, speak with your health care provider for assistance.

Eliminate or reducing the use of sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco: Commonly overstressed people use sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco to relieve stress. Although it temporarily can assist you to sleep, help relieve an ache or pain, or give you energy; it is not recommended to handle stress. In fact, using these products worsens the condition for diabetics and increases stress.

Take a Walk : A brief walk around the block during your lunch breaks; or if you work from home, a quick walk around the block will externalize you from the stress of the office or home. Make this a daily routine like taking your diabetes medication.

Exercise : You've heard it a million times, YOU SHOULD EXERCISE. Exercise increases your serotonin levels and makes you feel great as well as assists in maintaining or reducing your glucose levels. “Find the time to exercise.”

Yoga : is a wonderful, low impact exercise that is particularly beneficial during pregnancy or if you have diabetes. Yoga breath instruction, awareness exercises, and simple, practical techniques for coping with the demands of daily life. Supported yoga poses are designed to soothe, refresh, and promote deep relaxation. While some confuse the practice of yoga with eastern temples and pretzel poses, the actual practice of yoga can be done by ordinary people of any ability virtually anywhere. One of the main benefits of yoga includes improved mood and stress reduction. The regular practice of yoga provides stress reduction and relaxation both mentally and physically. Simple poses can be performed at your desk or cubicle at work or poses for stay at home moms. Yoga can be performed virtually anytime you need a break, regardless of physical condition, any person can perform yoga. However, as with any form of exercise, it is best to consult with your doctor before undertaking anything new.

Massage Therapy : Massage Therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints.  Massage therapists work to improve the circulation of blood through the body and to speed the removal of metabolic waste products from muscles. Their skilled kneading increases the flexibility of muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Benefits of massage therapy are improved sleep, reduced stress, relaxing tight muscles; improve blood circulation and increases energy.