Did you know that our bodies experience a spike in blood sugar levels each morning? This phenomenon, known as the dawn phenomenon or the dawn effect, is a process designed to give us an extra boost of energy upon waking to make getting up easier.
For most people, the dawn phenomenon presents no issues. For those with type 2 diabetes, however, the dawn phenomenon can be problematic. Don’t fret, however. The dawn phenomenon is completely manageable. If you want to make it so that your blood sugar levels don’t get the best of you in the morning, here are a few ways that you can manage the effects of the dawn phenomenon.
Eat Dinner Earlier and Take Your Insulin Later
If you wait to eat dinner or snacks until later in the evening, you may be adding more glucose to the already high levels that you are experiencing in the morning. You can counteract these levels by eating dinner earlier in the evening. You can also achieve the same effect by taking your insulin or medication around bedtime rather than taking it when you eat dinner. Keep in mind, however, that it might not be necessary or safe to do both. Experiment with each and figure out which one works best for you.
Get Plenty of Sleep
When it comes to any type of physical ailment, sleep is almost always on the recommended list of treatments. The dawn phenomenon is no exception! By getting the recommended 7 to 10 hours of sleep, you will lower the levels of cortisol in your blood, which is a hormone known for increasing the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. You may know it better by the name of “stress.” Getting enough sleep is also said to help you improve your ability to tolerate glucose.
Do Something Active After You Have Dinner
Another widely recommended form of treatment for almost all health issues is exercise. Exercise can help those with type 2 diabetes lower their glucose levels. If you want to eat dinner at your regular time, you can follow up your meal with a bit of exercise. Almost all types of exercise are accepted but it often takes around 30 minutes to an hour to reap the benefits that come from your chosen exercise. You must also remember that consistency is key. If you don’t exercise regularly, you are likely to become unmotivated and lose all of the benefits.
The dawn phenomenon is a natural part of life and there is no reason to be worried about it. Using the tips above, you can most certainly conquer it and live your life! Remember that this is only a small list, and there are plenty of other tips online to help you manage your morning glucose levels. However, it is important to make sure that you run every method by your doctor first. Not all methods are recommended for everyone, and a failure could consult your physician could result in bigger issues.
