I’ve noticed this phenomenon each of the last two holiday seasons. This is a time of year when I’m unable to work out as much as I’d like and therefore, my insulin doesn’t seem to work out as well in my system. In short, my numbers are higher than the rest of the year.
But…Here’s what is so amazing about this time of year for me:
Last Sunday, we had our annual holiday open house. After a snowy afternoon filled with sweet and salty carbs and lots of conversation among friends and neighbors, my 6:00 p.m. BG check showed 113 mg/dL.
Monday, I had a normal day at work, eating something close to my normal diet, and couldn’t muster anything lower than a 156.
On Tuesday, more of the same. Okay dietary choices, worked through the day, came home, and my pre-dinner check showed 165 mg/dL. But: After dinner, our next door neighbor came over and we spent a few hours talking and laughing and sharing stories. Can you guess? My BG check after came in at 75 mg/dL.
Hey, I can’t explain it. I’ve never been known as a social person, though that’s changed a lot over the last couple of years. But I know that people-to-people contact has definitely had a positive impact on my glucose this holiday season. So I’m going to seek it out as much as I can.
I’m curious… Do in person get-togethers help you with your BG management?
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Usually social situations raise my BG because I get uncomfortable and anxious. I don’t like them unfortunately.
I’m weird though…
I don’t think we notice how laughing and talking can be almost like exercise!
I wish I was more like you.
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You’re right– laughing and talking is good for the BGs. And I wish I was more like you.
But it’s worth noting that I wasn’t always like this. I was painfully shy until about ten years ago, and I’ve been a little less so ever since.
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Well we live however we can!
I am not shy at all which is weird, I just really hate social situations and being around people. I guess I kind of dislike people!
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Hmmmm, gatherings are tricky for me because I tend to graze and if wine is involved it’s always a crap shoot. Some times wine brings my blood sugar down, some times it spikes it. I just try to test a lot and do the best I can.
As I was reading the post though, I wondered if you feel stressed out at work? My old job was very stressful to me and so I always ran higher at work than on the weekends.
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Karen, good question! I’m always stressed at work, but I generally run lower at work (during the week) and higher when I’m off (on the weekends). I’m just a better eater at lunch, I think.
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Get togethers tend to actually make my blood sugars worse. It’s interesting how every one’s different (it’s why they’re different that I find interesting).
All of the food that usually comes along with them may taste good, but it doesn’t do wonders for my blood sugars. If I was more disciplined in how much I eat, perhaps they would make them better. Stress wreaks havoc on my blood sugar, and anything that reduces stress helps, so I can see how it could potentially help.
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