Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with heart palpitations and sweats?
Or maybe out of nowhere, you feel a rush of anxiety for no reason at all
This could be related to how you treat your mind and body throughout the day.
Everything is connected, and your hormones, which keep you in balance, are closely connected to your blood sugar levels.
Let’s dive into the signs and ways that you can help keep your blood sugar levels in check to cut anxiety.
- Western View: Estrogen and progesterone affect blood sugar and mood; cortisol rises with stress and imbalance.
- TCM View: Hormones are governed by the Kidney system, while the Spleen and Liver systems influence digestion, blood sugar, and emotional balance.
- When your Spleen Qi is weak (often due to poor diet, stress, or overthinking), digestion falters → leading to blood sugar crashes → leading to anxiety.
The Liver, which in TCM stores the Blood and governs the smooth flow of Qi, gets “stuck” when we’re stressed, contributing to mood swings, irritability, and sleep issues. If you are waking up between 1 and 3 am, your Liver is talking to you and letting you know it needs some support.
Signs that your blood sugar might be affecting your mood
Your Blood and energy (Qi) are connected, and anxiety is a message from your body that your Qi and Blood are out of balance.
Spleen Qi deficiency- low energy, worry, and digestive issues
Liver Qi stagnation- mood swings, PMS, and waking at 1-3 am
Shaky between meals, anxious after sugar or caffeine? That’s blood sugar dysregulation and an imbalance in the Spleen and Liver systems.
Do you have emotional reactivity?
This is a sign your Liver Qi might be “rebelling upward,” leading to tension, anxiety, or even panic.
Why do your blood sugar levels affect you more in your 40s
- Western View: Perimenopause = hormonal fluctuation → blood sugar instability → mood imbalances.
- TCM View: Around 40, women begin to experience a decline in Kidney Jing (essence), which affects hormonal balance, energy, and emotional resilience.
- Stress, poor sleep, and erratic eating deplete this Jing faster, making symptoms feel more intense.
- Think of this phase as a transition into a new energetic season, not a breakdown.
Ways to help balance your blood sugar levels
- Notice Your Natural Hunger and Fullness Cues
- Instead of eating by the clock, tune in to when your body actually feels hungry — and when it feels comfortably satisfied, not stuffed. Honouring those signals helps prevent overeating and big blood sugar swings.
- Pay Attention to How Foods Make You Feel
After eating, notice: do you feel energized and steady, or sleepy and jittery?
Your body is constantly giving you feedback. Foods that leave you feeling balanced are the ones that support your blood sugar best, even if they’re not on someone else’s “perfect diet” list. - Listen to Cravings Without Judgement
If you crave sugar, it’s often a sign of deeper needs: maybe you’re tired, stressed, or your blood sugar has already dipped. Instead of judging the craving, try to be curious about it. Ask: “What is my body really asking for?” - Choose Rest When You’re Run Down
If you’re exhausted, forcing intense workouts can backfire and spike cortisol (and blood sugar). Sometimes, choosing rest, gentle movement, or an earlier bedtime is the most healing thing you can do for your metabolism.
If you like this post, check out this one Why Sleep Is Essential For Your Hormone Health
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