My Stress Was Rising—Gratitude Brought Me Back

There’s no sugarcoating it—life gets hard sometimes. And when you're living with diabetes, everyday challenges can easily tip into overwhelm.

Lately, I’ve found myself navigating some deeply emotional terrain. My parents, who once held me up, now need holding themselves. My father’s dementia is progressing, and my mother’s frailty makes even the smallest tasks difficult for her. Helping them transition into an assisted living home has been emotionally exhausting.

At the same time, my wife and I are in the middle of a move. Selling our condo and shifting into apartment living wasn’t just a practical decision—it came with its own layers of letting go, stress, and reflection.

And through it all, my diabetes doesn’t take a break.

There are still blood sugar checks to be done, meals to plan, exercise to fit in (somehow), and the constant emotional and physical balancing act that never quite lets up. Stress impacts blood sugar, and as much as I wish I could compartmentalize, the truth is—it all blends together.

But in the middle of all this, I’ve found something surprising: gratitude.

Not the kind you force. Not the kind that makes you ignore your pain or pretend everything's okay when it's not. I’m talking about quiet gratitude. The kind that sneaks in during the hardest days and helps you take one more step.

Gratitude doesn’t cure the hard stuff, but it changes how we carry it.

When I wake up and my blood sugar is in range, I pause and give thanks.

When I sit with my mom and see her smile—even briefly—I try to hold that moment close.

When my dad, despite his dementia, tells me he loves me and still somehow remembers a piece of my childhood, I choose to be grateful for that spark.

Gratitude doesn't eliminate stress, but it helps me respond to it rather than react. And that shift in mindset has transformed how I manage my diabetes. I’m less likely to spiral when things go sideways. I make gentler choices. I show myself more compassion.

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How Gratitude Can Support Your Diabetes Journey:

• Regulates stress – Gratitude has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. That can help stabilize blood sugar, even during emotionally charged times.

• Promotes better self-care – When you focus on what’s going right, you’re more motivated to keep doing the things that support your health.

• Builds resilience – Diabetes is a long road. Gratitude helps you see the bigger picture and builds emotional stamina for the journey ahead.

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A Simple Practice

Each evening, I write down three things I’m grateful for. Some days, it’s big: a moment of clarity with my dad. Other days, it’s small: a warm coffee, a good book, or simply that I made it through the day.

This practice doesn’t take away the pain or the complexity of life with diabetes, but it gives me the strength to keep showing up—for myself and the people I love.

If you're in a tough season, I see you.

Living with diabetes while managing life’s curveballs isn’t easy. But gratitude can be a small light that helps you find your way through.

Not all at once. Not perfectly. But one breath, one moment, one thankful thought at a time.