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So, this I found out is a thing… A cleaning hypo. I thought it was just me. Not long after picking up a mop, running the vacuum cleaner or even just sorting and tidying my closet I get the tell-tale signs. Skin crawling, thoughts scrambling, confusion and an overwhelming sense of fatigue. Doesn’t everybody feel like that when they clean? Apparently not!
I’ve got friends who tell me they get high on the buzz of a hoover and the sweet smell of lemon floor wax and don’t get me started on how Marie Kondo and the Konmari craze has taken over everybody’s households.
But seriously…having to stop and drop a glucose tab in the middle of my cleaning foray is super inconvenient. Like who wants a low when your packing and tidying for a trip away? Or worse at the storage unit when you’re supposed to be a helpful hand to your husband?
It wasn’t until I happened to see my diabuddy Christel Oerum’s post about having to treat a hypo in the middle of vacuum session that I realised, this happens to everyone. According to Christel, the reason why vacuuming affects blood sugar so much is that it’s basically steady state cardio. The heart rate comes up a little and you end up moving around quite a bit even if you have a small place. She suggests making sure not to have too much insulin on board ( IOB) before cleaning.
My problem is that I’m in such a routine with my insulin dosing that I have trouble planning ahead. I.e cleaning in the morning when I have dawn phenomenon would be better than an after lunch declutter session.
The other thing I’ve noticed with a cleaning hypo is it lasts for hours. No other form of exercise seems to do that for me. If I was keen to clean I could actually use that as a great form of blood glucose control.
Move over Yoga, lets scrub, mop and vacuum the sh..t out of everything right?
Fuggedaboudit! I’d rather roll out my yoga mat, do a leisurely sun salutation, cross my legs and meditate.
Wishing everyone a super wonderful start to September
with great respect…
Yoga for Diabetes 
Of course there is another way to do vacuuming safely. Marry Sheryl. In our 42 years of marriage I do not think she has let me vacuum more than maybe twice. The thing about having Sheryl do it however, you will need to find your own, this one is taken. Just saying 🙂
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