Managing Diabetic Distress Through Breath: My Narrative Review on Sudarshan Kriya Yoga

Breathing Through the Burden: My Narrative Review on Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and Diabetic Distress

Living with type 2 diabetes is more than managing blood sugar—it’s about managing emotions, expectations, and everyday stress. For many, the emotional toll of diabetes—known as diabetic distress—is a hidden struggle that affects motivation, self-care, and overall health outcomes.

As a healthcare writer and researcher, I’ve long been interested in the intersection of emotional wellness and chronic disease. This led me to undertake a narrative review, recently published in the Sri Ramachandra Journal of Health Sciences, exploring the role of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in managing diabetic distress and improving quality of life (QOL) in persons living with diabetes (PWD).

What Is Diabetic Distress?

Diabetic distress (DD) refers to the emotional burden of living with diabetes—feelings of frustration, anxiety, guilt, and burnout that arise from the daily demands of managing the condition. In India, studies show that emotional distress scores are consistently higher than other forms of distress, such as regimen-related or physician-related concerns.

This emotional weight can lead to poor self-care, reduced medication adherence, and increased risk of complications.

Why Sudarshan Kriya Yoga?

SKY is a structured breathing technique developed by the Art of Living Foundation. It includes rhythmic breathing patterns like Ujjayi, Bhastrika, and Sudarshan Kriya, designed to calm the mind and balance the nervous system.

In my review, I analyzed four clinical studies that examined SKY’s impact on emotional well-being and lifestyle behaviors in PWD. Here’s what stood out:

• Improved Quality of Life: Significant improvements were noted in psychological and environmental domains of QOL, with some participants reporting benefits within just 5 days of practice.

• Reduced Anxiety and Depression: SKY is effective in treating anxiety and depression related to living with and managing diabetes,

• Better Lifestyle Choices: SKY participants showed improved dietary habits and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

• Enhanced Medication Adherence: SKY was linked to better adherence to antidiabetic medications, a key factor in long-term diabetes management.

What This Means for Diabetes Care

Traditional interventions like Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) have shown mixed results in addressing emotional distress. SKY offers a complementary, non-pharmacological approach that is easy to practice, cost-effective, and culturally resonant—especially in the Indian context.

By addressing the emotional root of diabetic distress, SKY helps build resilience, motivation, and self-efficacy—qualities essential for managing a chronic condition like diabetes. 

Looking Ahead

My review highlights the need for more targeted studies using diabetes-specific tools like the DDS17 questionnaire to measure emotional distress. Understanding the optimal duration and frequency of SKY practice could pave the way for integrating it into routine psychosocial care for diabetes.

Final Thoughts

Emotional wellness is not a luxury—it’s a necessity in chronic disease management. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga offers a breath-based solution that empowers individuals to take charge of their emotional health and, in turn, their physical well-being.

I’m proud to contribute to this conversation through my narrative review and hope it inspires more holistic approaches to diabetes care.

📖 Read the full article in the Sri Ramachandra Journal of Health Sciences, Volume 4, Issue 2, 2024.

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