Eating breakfast regularly, exercising and getting enough sleep may help people manage stress more effectively by supporting psychological flexibility, a new study by researchers at Binghamton University has found.

The study, published in the Journal of American College Health, surveyed approximately 400 college students to examine links between their dietary habits, sleep patterns, physical activity and psychological resilience.

Researchers found that students who regularly ate breakfast, exercised for at least 20 minutes and maintained healthier lifestyle habits tended to report greater psychological flexibility — the ability to adapt thoughts, emotions and behaviour when facing challenging situations.

Students who slept fewer than six hours a night generally reported lower levels of psychological flexibility and resilience. Frequent fast-food consumption and insufficient sleep were also associated with greater difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The study additionally found that students who took fish oil several times a week reported greater psychological flexibility.

Lina Begdache, an associate professor of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University and the study’s lead author, said psychological flexibility can help people step back from stressful situations, recognise their emotions and consider how best to respond.

The researchers suggested that healthier dietary and lifestyle habits may support this ability, which could help explain their association with resilience.

However, the study relied on survey responses and identified associations rather than proving that these habits directly improve stress management.

The findings build on previous research by Begdache linking dietary habits to resilience, suggesting that psychological flexibility may help explain how lifestyle choices relate to people’s ability to cope with adversity.