Why Adaptability is One of the Secrets to Reducing Stress
Apr 02, 2025
Have you ever had to adapt to your environment? Perhaps you had something planned, and for whatever reason, you had to change your plans? Even if you had your heart set on something, or had spent hours (or days) organizing whatever it was? How did it make you feel? Were you feeling stressed, or after an initial huff of annoyance, were you able to adjust, and continue on, stress-free? (Obviously, some events are more important, or have a bigger impact than others (eg. a planned overseas wedding in the middle of a cyclone with international guests), but you get the idea.))
Life is full of surprises, and sometimes (as you know), things don’t go exactly as planned — however that doesn’t mean you have to give up, or feel frustrated. Learning to adapt to your environment can help you stay calm, get things done, and even enjoy unexpected situations (eg. discovering a new playground or park while 'lost'). Whether it’s making changes to your schedule, adjusting to the weather, or finding creative solutions, flexibility is a skill that can make life so much easier. Neuroplasticity helps us with adaptability.
What Is Neuroplasticity — And Why Does It Matter?
Neuroplasticity is your brain’s natural ability to change, grow, and adapt throughout your life. It’s how your brain rewires itself in response to what you think, feel, experience, and do.
For a long time, people believed that the brain was “fixed” after childhood — but we now know that’s not true. Science shows that your brain is constantly reshaping itself, based on how you use it. Every new experience, thought pattern, or skill you learn, can create or strengthen new connections between brain cells (called neurons).
Adaptability comes into it because every time you face change — whether chosen or unexpected — your brain reacts. It starts forming new (neural) pathways to help you understand, adjust, and eventually feel more comfortable, with that change. I've mentioned a couple of examples of this below.
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If you begin thinking more positively, for example repeating a positive affirmation (phrase), your brain strengthens the networks that support optimism and resilience.
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If you try something new, like taking a different route on your walk, or learning a new skill, your brain rewires to support those choices, and make them easier over time.
So as you can see, adaptability and neuroplasticity work hand-in-hand. When you stretch yourself to adapt, your brain grows stronger, and more capable. And the more your brain changes, and grows, the easier it becomes to adapt in the future.
It’s a beautiful cycle, which continues to empower you the more you use it. You don’t need to stay stuck in old habits, thought patterns, or ways of doing things. You have the ability to uplift — not just mentally and emotionally, but neurologically too. (And isn't that a wonderful thing? βΊοΈ)
Neuroplasticity reminds you that you are never too old, too stuck, or too far gone to adapt and change. Your brain is designed to help you live your Best Life — one choice, one moment, one new neural pathway at a time.
Do you take advantage of this ability to uplift your life? Or are there ways that you can use it more consciously to help you improve your life? Maybe starting with one small change a day (even a positive affirmation)? Or perhaps you could think of what you'd most like to change in your life, and consider what small changes you can make to improve that aspect?
Adaptability in Action
I’m sure everybody has lots of example of times they’ve had to adjust their plans, whether willingly, or perhaps less so. Below are a few examples that immediately came to mind while considering this blog. (And remember, adaptability isn’t just about big life changes — it’s something we can practice every day, even if it's just taking a different route when driving or walking.)
- Meditating on a Motorbike - Imagine you're on the back of a motorbike, and you’re feeling nervous. Instead of focusing on the fear, you close your eyes (safely, of course, while someone else is driving!) and take deep breaths. You turn the ride into a meditation, helping you stay calm and grounded instead of anxious. (I wrote a separate blog post on this experience.)
- Filming Videos When the Sun is Shining - Maybe you planned to film your content tomorrow, but today is the perfect sunny day. Instead of sticking to your original schedule, you grab your camera, and take advantage of the good lighting. Being flexible allows you to get the best results. (I also went for a walk yesterday, and the path was flooded – so I climbed a tree, and did some filming instead! π)
- Adjusting Recipes Based on What You Have - You want to make a recipe, but you're missing an ingredient. Instead of running to the store, you swap it for something similar, or leave it out if it’s not essential. This kind of adaptability helps when dealing with food sensitivities, too — you can always adjust a dish to suit your needs. (I would say the majority of the time I need to adapt recipes, due to food sensitivities — I’m really quite good at it now — perhaps it’s a new superpower?! π)
- Changing Your Schedule for Severe Weather - Maybe you had outdoor plans, but a cyclone or heat wave is coming. Instead of being upset, you reschedule your plans, or shift to indoor activities. This way, you stay safe while still making the most of your time. (There are a lot more severe weather events around the world now, so unfortunately this is one that is likely to come up more often than it used to. South East Queensland/Northern New South Wales (Australia) just went through a cycle/weather warning, which is why this came to mind.)
- Waking Up Early for an Online Course Bonus - You really want to take an online course, and there’s a special bonus for those who watch live at 5 AM. Instead of thinking, “That’s too early,” you set your alarm, wake up, and enjoy the experience. Flexibility helps you grab opportunities that others might miss. (It’s also faster, as when watching the replay, I tend to pause it, take lots of notes, and take my time, absorbing the nuances, and thinking how I could use the concepts.)
Why Being Adaptable is So Powerful
Adapting to your environment isn’t just about solving problems — it comes with great benefits, as well. Some animals/insects adapt to nature (and danger) using camouflage - and although we don't have that same ability, there are other (human) benefits when we incorporate adaptability into our toolbox.
- Less Stress - Instead of feeling frustrated when things don’t go as planned, you simply adjust. This helps you stay calm, and avoid unnecessary stress. When you learn to flow with life, you naturally feel more at ease. (One trick to help with this is to ask yourself “Will this matter in a year’s time?” If not, then let it go.)
- More Opportunities - When you’re open to change, you can take advantage of unexpected chances — whether it’s catching a sunrise, learning something new, or creating something amazing. Many great things happen outside of our original plans! (I’ve discovered some great places when I’ve taken roads that weren’t the most direct route to wherever I was going. If you go out when you weren't expecting to, you can also make new friends.)
- Increased Confidence - The more you adapt, the more capable you feel. When you know you can handle unexpected situations, you feel more in control of your life, and less fearful of change. This in turn can reduce the feeling of anxiousness that you might feel around change.
- Better Decision-Making - When you’re used to being flexible, you learn to think on your feet, and make smart choices quickly. Instead of getting stuck in frustration, you immediately look for solutions, and move forward.
- Stronger Resilience - Life is unpredictable, but adaptability helps you bounce back from setbacks. The more you practice adjusting, the easier it becomes to face challenges, without feeling overwhelmed.
- More Creativity - When things don’t go as planned, you have to think outside the box. Adaptability encourages creative problem-solving, and new ways of thinking. (As I mentioned, due to numerous food sensitivities, I have to adjust most recipes. It's now at the point that I can consider food available, and create new dishes from scratch. And I've discovered some great combinations, and new recipes!)
Final Thoughts
Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. By learning to adapt, you can turn challenges into opportunities, and find joy in unexpected moments. So next time something doesn’t go the way you expected, take a deep breath, make a small adjustment, and see where it leads you — you might just surprise yourself! βΊοΈ
And if you sometimes struggle to see the opportunities, and look for the positive aspects, you might like to check out our Positive Mindset Mastery bundle, which covers the four main mindset blocks, and how to overcome them.
π€· Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How can I become more adaptable?
Start by practicing small changes in your routine. Try a new way to work, switch up your meals, or challenge yourself to respond positively when things don’t go as expected. The more you embrace flexibility, the easier it becomes.
2. What if I really struggle with change?
If change makes you anxious, take it step by step. Start with minor adjustments, like rearranging your schedule slightly, or trying new experiences in a low-pressure way. Remind yourself that not all change is bad — sometimes, it leads to something even better!
3. How does adaptability help with stress?
When you’re adaptable, you don’t see unexpected changes as obstacles — you see them as opportunities to try something different. This shift in mindset can help reduce anxiety, and keep you from feeling stuck.
Our Positive Mindset Mastery bundle is designed to help people adjust their mindset to be more positive.
4. Can being adaptable make me more successful?
Yes, it can. People who adapt quickly tend to achieve their goals more easily, because they don’t get stuck when things don’t go as planned. They stay open to new opportunities, and find ways to make things work.
5. How do I teach adaptability to my children?
Encourage kids to try new things, problem-solve when faced with challenges, and model a flexible mindset yourself. Show them that change is a normal part of life, and can often lead to great experiences, even when it's not what they expected.
6. If I become adaptable, will I never feel stress again?
If you learn to excel at adaptabiity, and become resilient, it can certainly help reduce stress, but unfortunately pretty much everyone still experiences some stress - even if it is greatly reduced. So while adaptability can help lessen stress, it is unlikely to completely eliminate it - however, even reduced stress can help with mental, emotional, and physical health. Some additional information and resources in relation to stress can be found in the links below.
Additional Resources
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References/Further Reading
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11874-stress
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-to-know-about-how-to-deal-with-change
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stress/
https://www.newporthealthcare.com/resources/industry-articles/10-ways-to-cope-with-change/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-neuroplasticity
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/neuroplasticity-exercises
https://www.healthline.com/health/rewiring-your-brain
Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only, and is not intended as professional advice. Always use your best judgment, and consult a qualified expert when making decisions about your health, safety, or personal circumstances. Your experiences may vary, and adaptability strategies should be applied in a way that feels right for you. The author and Your Best Life Academy are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
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