CGM use in people with diabetes is expanding—and for good reason. The metrics and insights it provides have the power to change the way healthcare professionals and people with diabetes see their management. The 2025 ADA Standards of Care state that CGM should be offered to anyone with diabetes, and even recommends early initiation after diagnosis.
The perks of CGM are numerous; it has been found to lower A1C, improve quality of life, and more. But did you know there are recorded positive psychosocial impacts as well?
How CGM and its metrics can positively affect mental health
In a dQ&A survey of 3,461 people with diabetes, most people with type 1 ranked time in range, of all the outcomes used to assess diabetes therapies, as having the biggest impact on daily life. Studies have shown using a CGM and its metrics can help:
- Reduce diabetes distress
- Reduce fear of hypoglycemia
- Lower stress levels
- Improve sleep
- And more!
Across different types of diabetes, CGM initiation is tied to reduced diabetes distress and fear of hypoglycemia. This is especially true for children with type 1 and their parents, who report reduced fear of hypoglycemia using remote monitoring. Fear of low glucose can lead some people with diabetes to keep their glucose levels higher to avoid hypoglycemia, which can lead to unintended but serious diabetes-related complications down the line. Reducing fear of hypoglycemia can have a long-term positive impact in people with diabetes’ lives.
Studies have also shown people with type 1 using CGM report positive psychosocial outcomes, including lower levels of stress and improved sleep (Burckhardt et al. 2018; Nana et al. 2019; Volčanšek Š et al. 2019; Pinsker et al. 2021). As both stress and lack of sleep can release cortisol—a hormone that increases glucose levels—the influence of CGM on this population
The relationship between time in range and mental health
Spending more time in range and less time in hyperglycemia has been shown to improve mood and reduce depression, diabetes distress, and fear of hypoglycemia (Polonsky & Fortmann 2020; Ehrmann et al., 2021; Hood et al., 2024; Addala et al., 2025).
Depression occurrence is two to three times higher in people with diabetes, the majority of the cases remaining underdiagnosed. Early research suggests a connection between depression and increased risk of diabetes-related complications, and diabetes distress has been correlated to reduced diabetes self-management and higher A1Cs as well. Using a CGM to measure time in range can give healthcare professionals and people with diabetes the information they need to begin increasing time in range to avoid potential diabetes-related complications and live a happier, healthier life.
Avoiding diabetes distress and tech burnout
While CGM and its metrics are shown to provide incredible psychosocial benefits, the risk of diabetes tech burnout is a reality for many. Having to interact with large amounts of personal health data, combined with burdensome alarms and alerts and the many demands of self-managing diabetes can increase a person’s risk for experiencing diabetes distress—which can lead to burnout.
If someone is struggling with diabetes distress, you can have them take the Diabetes Distress Assessment Survey. If someone in your care is struggling with diabetes distress you can provide tips and tricks to help them feel better, faster with our free mental health toolkit for people with diabetes. Download it for free by clicking here.
Overall, CGM metrics and time in range can help people with diabetes thrive. The benefits described above can help people with diabetes live longer, happier, healthier lives, with less risk of diabetes complications.
Its growing access is allowing people with every type of diabetes to learn more about their bodies and feel ready to take on the challenges that diabetes brings every day. It’s a tool that brings empowerment, independence, and as we’ve seen, some seriously positive psychosocial benefits to people with diabetes. Are you ready to change the lives of people in your care? 