4 Tips for Lowering Your A1c

What you eat can help manage your blood sugar and keep your A1c at or below target, but did you know other factors contribute to your blood sugar? In fact, there are at least 42 factors that can affect your blood sugar. In this video, Season dietitian, Rebecca focuses on four common factors that go beyond food.

Sleep

Adequate sleep can help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range, positively impacting your A1c. It is recommended to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. However, if you are getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep, but you’re not feeling rested when you wake up it is possible that your sleep quality is poor.  Talk to your doctor to see if a sleep study is recommended to help you get a restful night’s sleep. You can also speak with your Season dietitian on developing bedtime habits.

Sitting

Studies have shown that taking breaks from sitting can help improve your blood sugar. If physically able, take a break from sitting every 30 minutes or as often as you’re able. This could be as simple as standing up for a brief stretch break, stepping away to refill your water bottle, or better yet, taking a quick lap around your workspace.

Stress

Stress can cause the body to release hormones that cause our liver to release more glucose and our bodies to become less sensitive to insulin, resulting in increased blood sugar. Reducing stressful events may or may not be within our control, but finding ways to respond to stress with healthy coping skills, such as listening to music or calling a friend can help you reduce and manage the stress in your life.

Infection or illness

Like stress, illness can cause the body to release hormones that cause our blood sugar to increase. During the winter and flu season, it’s important to take caution. Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you’re sick, cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.