How Stress and Poor Sleep Worsen Insulin Sensitivity
Many people focus on food and exercise when trying to improve blood sugar levels. While these are important, two powerful factors are often overlooked — chronic stress and poor sleep . Even with a healthy diet, ongoing stress and inadequate sleep can silently push the body toward insulin resistance , increasing the risk of diabetes, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance. Understanding Insulin Sensitivity Insulin sensitivity refers to how effectively the body’s cells respond to insulin and absorb glucose from the bloodstream. When insulin sensitivity is good: Cells efficiently use glucose for energy Blood sugar remains stable Metabolism functions smoothly When insulin sensitivity declines, the body requires more insulin to manage the same amount of glucose — a condition known as insulin resistance . The Stress–Insulin Connection Stress triggers the release of cortisol , the body’s primary stress hormone. While cortisol is essential for short-term survival, chronic elevation...