Which factor is associated with successful adaptation to stress?

Which factor is associated with successful adaptation to stress?

• A. Exaggerated perception of the stressor
• B. Healthy lifestyle
• C. Church support group
• D. Living alone

Answer: (B)

Focusing on resources that build resilience across body and mind is key to adapting to stress. A healthy lifestyle does just that—regular physical activity, good nutrition, adequate sleep, and avoiding substances that drain energy all help regulate mood, improve cognitive function, and lower physiological reactivity to stress. When the body is fit and well-rested, it handles stressors more effectively, recovers faster, and maintains a steadier mood, which supports better coping overall. In contrast, exaggerating the perception of a stressor tends to amplify fear and arousal, creating a cycle that makes stress harder to manage. Living alone might reduce social support, which can be helpful for coping, and a church support group provides social support, but these are not as consistently protective as the broad, ongoing benefits of a healthy lifestyle that bolster both physical and mental resources.

Focusing on resources that build resilience across body and mind is key to adapting to stress. A healthy lifestyle does just that—regular physical activity, good nutrition, adequate sleep, and avoiding substances that drain energy all help regulate mood, improve cognitive function, and lower physiological reactivity to stress. When the body is fit and well-rested, it handles stressors more effectively, recovers faster, and maintains a steadier mood, which supports better coping overall.

In contrast, exaggerating the perception of a stressor tends to amplify fear and arousal, creating a cycle that makes stress harder to manage. Living alone might reduce social support, which can be helpful for coping, and a church support group provides social support, but these are not as consistently protective as the broad, ongoing benefits of a healthy lifestyle that bolster both physical and mental resources.