If you have diabetes, you might be managing your condition with medications, diet, and exercise. But you may also wonder if mind-body therapies like meditation or yoga can help. The short answer is, they probably can. While you shouldn’t replace your standard treatments with these therapies, they can be a useful addition. They may not directly lower blood sugar levels, but they can help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being. Here’s a look at some mind-body techniques and what the research shows. Meditation has been shown to help with stress management, which is crucial for people with diabetes. Stress can affect blood sugar levels, so managing it can have indirect benefits. Mindfulness meditation, where you focus on being aware of the present moment without judgment, has been found to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. A study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research found that participants who practiced mindfulness meditation had lower stress levels and improved quality of life. Yoga is another mind-body therapy that can be beneficial for people with diabetes. It combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Research published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that people with type 2 diabetes who practiced yoga regularly had improved blood sugar levels and lipid profiles. Another study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that yoga helped reduce body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in people with diabetes. Art therapy, which involves using creative techniques like drawing or painting to express yourself, can also be helpful. It may not directly affect blood sugar levels, but it can improve mental health and reduce the emotional burden of living with a chronic condition. A study in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that art therapy improved emotional well-being and self-esteem in people with diabetes. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique where you tense and then relax each muscle group in your body. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in people with diabetes. A review in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that PMR helped reduce stress and improve overall well-being in people with chronic illnesses, including diabetes. In summary, while mind-body therapies like meditation, yoga, art therapy, and PMR may not replace standard diabetes treatments, they can be valuable additions to your overall care plan. They can help you manage stress, improve emotional well-being, and enhance your quality of life.