Sleep & Blood Sugar: Why Good Sleep Is Key for Glucose Balance
Blood Sugar & Sleep: The Connection You Might Be Missing
When we think about managing blood sugar, we often go straight to food and exercise. And yes, those matter. But sleep? It’s just as important — especially if you’re navigating prediabetes.
Here’s why sleep needs to be part of the conversation:
1. Tired body, more insulin resistance
Even one bad night can make your body less responsive to insulin. That means your blood sugar stays higher for longer, which can make everything feel harder the next day — energy, mood, focus.
2. Stress hormones go up, and so does blood sugar
Poor sleep increases cortisol, the stress hormone. And cortisol’s job is to raise blood sugar so you have energy to face the day. But when it’s constantly high from not sleeping well, your blood sugar levels can stay elevated for longer than they should.
3. You end up craving sugar
When you’re sleep-deprived, your brain naturally reaches for fast energy — usually in the form of sugary or starchy foods. That leads to more spikes, more crashes, and more cravings. It’s not a willpower thing. It’s your biology trying to cope.
4. Your natural rhythm gets out of sync
Your body runs on an internal clock. When your sleep is irregular — late nights, odd hours — your body becomes less efficient at managing blood sugar, especially after dinner. Over time, this can add up.
So what helps?
Here are a few simple, gentle shifts that can support better sleep (and more balanced blood sugar):
Keep a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends
Dim the lights and stay off screens an hour before bed
Do something calming before sleep — like reading, stretching, or simply sitting with your breath
Avoid caffeine in the afternoon
Try keeping your bedroom tech-free so your nervous system can really wind down
Sleep is where your body recalibrates, rests, and heals. It’s free. It’s powerful. And it’s so often overlooked.
Start small. Even a little more consistent sleep can make a big difference in how you feel, eat, move — and how your blood sugar responds.
