V is for Vanilla 21

[asitis]

Slowing down on here for a bit is probably a good idea from time to time.

Not surprised by your high cortisol levels. Stress, feelings of shame, worries about health, are all good triggers for cortisol. It is one of those nasty things that turns into a positive (positive in that it is additive, not that it is a good thing) feedback loop. These lead to higher cortisol. Higher cortisol makes you feel bad, lose energy, not get as much done, and impacts your health. All of which turn around and cause more stress & shame, which leads to more cortisol secretion, and so on.

Exercise, meditation, yoga, and pampering (massages, sauna, hot tub - although you need to be careful on the last 2 if your diabetes is causing circulation issues) all help, & exercise will help with the diabetes. Perhaps a break from media & a break from talking about your sitch & being reminded of it by reading about others for a few days every so often.

Have any girlfriends you could take a relaxing & fun weekend away with every once in a while?