Individuals looking to lower their blood sugar levels often consider altering aspects of their diet.
While this is important, what you do outside of eating is equally crucial in stabilising blood glucose.
Nutritionist Kait Malthaner shared on YouTube that taking a morning walk helps to bring "your blood sugar levels down".
Kait said: "Some people experience what is called the dawn phenomenon, which is a spike in blood sugar before waking up due to glucose being released by the liver.
'Walking activates your muscles, allowing them to absorb glucose without needing insulin'
GETTY"A simple way to combat this is to go for a walk before breakfast. Walking activates your muscles, allowing them to absorb glucose without needing insulin.
"This naturally lowers blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity over time, and it doesn't have to be a long walk."
Something as simple as 10 to 15 minutes in the morning to get the muscles moving can make a "big difference".
The nutritionist added: "Steps do not have to be difficult; you do not have to do some huge overhaul."
Insufficient sleep can have a "big impact" on your blood sugar levels, so it is crucial to ensure you get enough rest.
Kait explained: "After just one single night of poor sleep, your insulin levels are higher the whole following day.
"A lack of sleep also increases your hunger hormones, so you want to prioritise sleep by going to bed the same time every night, avoiding blue light one hour before bed and keeping your bedroom cool and dark."
A study published by the National Library of Medicine that researched the link between sleep and blood glucose also found this. It said: "Sleep loss can lead to impairments in glucose metabolism and increases in insulin levels, which could increase the risk of the development of diabetes."
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Making sure you get enough sleep is important for your blood sugar levels
GETTYHigh-stress levels can also have a considerable impact on your blood sugar levels.
Kait explained: "When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol and glucagon, which signal the liver to dump more glucose into the bloodstream.
"This makes it harder to control your blood sugar throughout the day; it worsens insulin sensitivity and increases your fasting blood sugar over time.
"A few things you can quickly do to lower stress include taking slow, deep breaths. For example, inhale for four seconds, hold it for four and exhale for four or listen to some calming music."
