Your Daily Routine May Help You Handle Stress

Adaptability Beats Perfection: When a stressful situation throws you off, can you adjust and move forward — or do you get stuck in the feeling? A Binghamton University study suggests everyday habits, from eating breakfast to getting enough sleep, may be linked to that ability to adapt.

The Study: Researchers surveyed approximately 400 college students about their diet, sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle habits. They found that eating breakfast at least five times a week, exercising for 20 minutes or more, sleeping well, and regularly taking fish oil were associated with greater psychological flexibility — the ability to adapt your thoughts and behaviors when circumstances change. Sleeping fewer than six hours and eating less healthfully were linked to lower flexibility and resilience.

Takeaway: You can’t eliminate stress, but you can build habits that may help you respond to it. Start with the basics: eat regular meals, prioritize sleep, and find movement you enjoy. When stress hits, practicing a pause to identify what you’re feeling and considering your options may also help you respond more constructively.

Keep in Mind: The study relied on self-reported survey data from college students, so the findings may not apply to everyone. More importantly, associations don’t establish cause and effect: the researchers can’t say these habits directly improve resilience, just that there’s an association.