Mental Health

Exercise - good for the body and good for the brain!

Often overlooked are the benefits exercise and physical activity can have for your mental health. Exercise can have a significant impact on your mood and mental wellbeing, not just your physical health.

Millions of Australians living with common health issues such as asthma, hypertension, arthritis, cancer and diabetes are at much greater risk of mental health conditions.

Have you ever had that feeling of “failing” at managing your diabetes? You may be suffering from diabetes distress.

Research continues to show that men are less likely than women to take an active role in maintaining their health and less likely to seek professional help for problems.

We all strive for happiness in our lives and it's important to review what's impacting your mood and your mental health.

In a recent Australian survey, 28% of people with type 1 diabetes and up to 22% of people with type 2 diabetes reported experiences severe diabetes-related distress.

Hypo symptoms are the brain’s reaction to a lack of glucose and may greatly increase your emotional response which can make you exceptionally happy, silly, worried, frightened, paranoid or angry.

While it’s normal to feel stressed or anxious at times about having to manage a chronic condition such as diabetes, intense or  ongoing feelings can be a sign of diabetes distress, burnout or depression. It can be hard to know where to start, but just letting someone know you care can make all the difference.

Low mood can prevent good self-care of your diabetes, make it harder to reach your blood glucose targets, and increase the risks of diabetes related complications.

Many people with diabetes experience common feelings of worry, frustration, concern and ‘burn-out’. These feelings can often arise from concerns about looking after your diabetes, lack of support, emotional burden, and difficulty accessing health care services.

Young adults with type 2 diabetes experience similar levels of anxiety and depression as those with type 1

Research that analysed more than 270 studies found people who held strong negative emotions about their illness and viewed it as more serious were more likely to be in denial and experience depression or anxiety, and less likely to get better.

Diabetes and depression share some of the same symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating. Here are our tips to help you manage your mental health and diabetes.