The Connection Between Stress and Blood Sugar Most of us associate spikes in blood sugar with dietary choices, such as eating too much sugar or too many carbs. But many elements can affect how our bodies regulate blood sugar, including dehydration, heat and sun exposure, and skipping meals. Do you know, Stress, including life circumstances, illness, and lack of sleep, is also a contributing factor when it comes to blood sugar regulation. When you are stressed, the “stress response” is triggered in your body. This sends a cascade of hormones, including cortisol, to be released. Cortisol can significantly affect our bodies, including our inflammatory response, immune system, and metabolism. Self-Test for Stress One way to determine if stress affects your health is to take a self-assessment test. Ask yourself the following questions about your perceived stress levels: Do you often find yourself becoming upset about unexpected events? Have you recently felt stressed, anxi...