Breakfast May Play a Surprising Role in Stress Management, Research Suggests

Could simple daily habits like eating breakfast, exercising and getting enough sleep help the brain cope better with stress? A new study suggests that healthier lifestyle routines may support psychological flexibility, a mental ability that helps individuals adapt to challenges and recover from stressful situations.

Published in the Journal of American College Health, the study conducted by researchers at Binghamton University examined how dietary habits, sleep and physical activity influence psychological flexibility and resilience among college students.

Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to adjust thoughts, emotions and behaviours in response to changing circumstances. Individuals with greater flexibility may be better equipped to manage frustration, regulate emotions and respond constructively to stressful experiences.

The study analysed anonymous survey responses from approximately 400 college students, collecting information about their eating habits, sleep duration, physical activity and other lifestyle factors.

The findings revealed that students who followed healthier routines generally reported greater psychological flexibility and resilience. Eating breakfast at least five times per week was associated with improved resilience, with psychological flexibility potentially explaining this relationship. Regular physical activity lasting 20 minutes or longer was also linked to greater psychological flexibility and an improved ability to manage stress.

Meanwhile, students sleeping fewer than six hours per night reported lower psychological flexibility and resilience. Frequent fast-food consumption was associated with greater psychological rigidity, indicating difficulty adapting thoughts and behaviours to challenging situations. Researchers additionally observed that consuming fish oil several times per week was associated with better psychological flexibility.

The findings suggest that healthy lifestyle habits may support resilience partly by strengthening psychological flexibility, allowing individuals to recognise difficult emotions and respond more effectively to stressful situations.

However, researchers emphasised that the study relied on self-reported survey responses and identified associations rather than direct cause-and-effect relationships.

REFERENCE: Lina Begdache, Jason Cherry, Alexander J. Talkachov. Dietary and lifestyle factors and resilience: the role of psychological flexibility as a mediator. Journal of American College Health, 2025; 74 (6): 1569 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2597907