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Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How much does stress affect blood sugar readings. This morning my blood sugar spiked at 208 and then dropped to 114

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Atlanta, GA

I am a type 2 diabetic for 14 years and eat basically the same thing everyday

4 days ago
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A DiabetesTeam Member

Definitely stress or any sickness can raise that number. Also of the mornings our body releases cortisol and growth hormones causing sugar spikes. It's part of the natural process of waking up. It is called the dawn phenomenon. Everyone goes through that, even non diabetics. They can produce enoughinsulin to help with that blood sugar spike..Our systems are broken, so it will affect us differently.
Also, diabetics should eat within an hour of waking up to break that fasting cycle. 114 is an awesome number .

4 days ago (edited)
DiabetesTeam

That kind of swing — especially when your diet hasn't changed — is a real clue that something else is going on. Stress is actually a very common culprit for unexpected blood sugar spikes in people with type 2 diabetes.

When you're stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones signal Show Full Answer

That kind of swing — especially when your diet hasn't changed — is a real clue that something else is going on. Stress is actually a very common culprit for unexpected blood sugar spikes in people with type 2 diabetes.

When you're stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones signal your liver to release stored glucose, giving your body a quick energy boost as part of a "fight-or-flight" response. For someone with diabetes, this can push blood sugar up significantly — even without any change in food intake. A DiabetesTeam member shared a similar experience: "Too much on my mind. Blood sugar is through the roof. I know it's caused by stress and trying to get a grip on it."

The good news is there are practical ways to help manage stress-related spikes:

- Deep breathing or meditation — shown to meaningfully reduce cortisol levels
- Regular physical activity — helps lower baseline cortisol over time
- Consistent sleep schedule — aim for at least 7 hours; poor sleep raises cortisol and fasting blood sugar
- Mindfulness practices — one DiabetesTeam member noted that a mindfulness-based stress reduction class helped them avoid impulsive eating and better manage their diabetes

Since you've been managing type 2 diabetes for 14 years and your diet is consistent, it's worth mentioning these spikes to your healthcare provider. They can help identify whether stress — or another factor — is the trigger and adjust your management plan if needed.

4 days ago

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