Mindful living, better living: supporting diabetes care through stress relief in Alabama’s Black Belt
In Alabama’s Black Belt region, the number of adults living with type 2 diabetes is far above the national average. In some counties, like Wilcox and Perry, nearly 1 in 5 adults—about 19%—have been diagnosed with the condition. In contrast, the national average for type 2 diabetes is approximately 11%, according to the CDC.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition where the body either doesn’t use insulin well or doesn’t make enough of it, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Over time, this can lead to serious complications like vision loss, nerve damage, or heart disease. Managing it requires consistent care—checking blood sugar, making healthy food choices, staying active, and taking medicine.
But there’s another part that’s just as real: the emotional toll. When day-to-day care starts to feel heavy, it’s called diabetes distress—and it can make managing the condition even harder.
This challenge is even greater in rural areas where specialized care and support programs are limited.
Caroline Presley, M.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Diabetes education meets mindfulness
That’s the idea behind a project led by Caroline Presley, M.D., a physician and assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She and her team are pilot-testing a new way to help adults improve their diabetes care and emotional well-being through a program called Mindfulness-Based Diabetes Education.
The program combines two proven strategies:
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Gentle breathing and awareness practices that help calm the nervous system and reduce stress.
- Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES): Practical knowledge and tools to support blood sugar control, nutrition, medications, and more.
Participants in the program attend virtual group sessions from the comfort of home, learning techniques to feel more in control of their daily care.
Shaped by local experiences, delivered remotely
This study focuses on adults in the Black Belt region who are managing type 2 diabetes and experiencing high levels of stress. Many have limited access to traditional diabetes education programs. That’s why the sessions are delivered remotely via video, helping people participate no matter where they live.
Before the program launched, Presley’s team held focus groups with participants from across the region. The feedback they received helped shape the content and delivery of the sessions to match real-life experiences and preferences.
Why stress relief matters in managing diabetes
Stress affects more than mood. It can change how your body responds to insulin, make it harder to plan meals or stay active, and increase feelings of burnout. That’s where mindfulness can help.
Stress Relief Tips You Can Try Today
- Breathe slowly. Take five deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Notice your surroundings. Take a moment to look around, name three things you see, and notice how your body feels.
- Stay curious, not critical. If you forget a step or miss a meal plan goal, take a deep breath and start again.
- Reach out. Sharing how you feel with a friend or loved one can lift a heavy load.
By teaching participants how to pause, breathe, and refocus, the program is helping individuals build confidence and feel more equipped to manage their health—even on the toughest days.
The research team is currently measuring how feasible and useful the program is. The results will guide a larger future study that could bring this approach to more areas across Alabama and beyond.
Want to learn more or share with someone you care about?
To explore Presley’s project and see how mindfulness-based support can enhance diabetes care, visit this page.
Keep learning: Explore Dr. Presley’s earlier research
Want more insight into the emotional side of diabetes management?
📘 Read about Dr. Presley’s recent presentation at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, where she shared findings from a national study on insulin use and emotional stress: Presley’s Research on Emotional Distress and Diabetes Management
