Discover practical stress relief habits in 2025 — exercise, supplements, and daily actions to cope with cost of living pressures.

Feeling overwhelmed by rising costs and constant uncertainty?

Discover 6 daily stress-relieving habits… from movement and micro-moments of calm to supplements and community. Backed by research and practical tips to help you cope in 2025.

Cost of living stress is at an all-time high in the UK, and millions of us are feeling the weight financially, emotionally, and physically. Rising bills, job uncertainty, and endless negative headlines mean it’s no surprise that stress levels are at record highs.

• Financially, with expenses stretching further than monthly income.

 

• Emotionally, with uncertainty chipping away at stability.

 

• Mentally, with worry, brain fog, and poor sleep.

 

• Physically, as stress drains energy, immunity, and wellbeing.

 

In fact, in a November 2023 poll, 31% of UK adults felt anxious due to their financial situation; 27% felt stressed and 9% felt hopeless.

While we can’t control the economy or the news cycle, we can control small daily choices that make life feel lighter.

 

Here are six research-backed habits you can start today.

1. Move Your Body, Clear Your Head

   

   A person with headphones on enjoying dancing in their living room

When life feels overwhelming, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. But movement doesn’t have to mean a gym membership or a two-hour workout.

A 20-minute walk outside is proven to lower cortisol (stress hormone), boost endorphins, and improve sleep by supporting your circadian rhythm (NHS, 2024). Fresh air + movement really is free medicine. And if walking isn’t your thing, gentle stretching or dancing around your living room works too.

 

2. Create a Side Stream of Income

Financial pressure is one of today’s biggest stress triggers. Money worries are directly linked to poor sleep and physical health problems. Building even a small side hustle can provide both extra breathing room and a sense of control.

Ideas worth exploring:

• Selling a skill online (writing, design, tutoring).
• Reselling pre-loved items on apps like Vinted or eBay.
• Offering local services like dog walking, babysitting, or odd jobs.

It’s not about striking it rich, it’s about steady inflows that make bills feel a little less crushing.

 

3. Practice “Micro-Moments” of Calm

   

   Person practicing breathwork while working from home to reduce stress

Meditating for 30 minutes or doing an hour of yoga can feel impossible when you’re stretched thin. That’s why “micro-moments of calm” matter.

For just 60 seconds, pause, put your phone down, close your eyes, and take one deep breath in and out. Research shows these tiny resets calm the nervous system and lower stress levels (Mind UK, 2024). Over time, micro-moments stack up and build resilience.

 

4. Support Your Body from the Inside

Nutrition and supplements won’t erase financial pressures, but they can help your body cope better with stress. Think of them as tools in your resilience toolkit:

• Nu Mind → formulated specifically for stress support, helping calm the nervous system.
• Ashwagandha → traditional adaptogen shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep (Cochrane Library, 2021).
• Magnesium → supports relaxation, recovery, and sleep (NIH, 2023).
• B Vitamins → improve energy and reduce stress-related fatigue (NCBI, 2016).

Even a simple daily vitamin can give you a little more clarity, calm, and energy to face the day.

 

5. Reconnect with Community

   

   Friends reconnecting in a coffee shop to improve mental wellbeing

Stress is heavier when carried alone. Yet modern life often leaves us feeling disconnected, even in busy cities.

Talking helps. Sharing struggles with a friend, neighbour, or support group won’t erase problems, but it lightens the load. Strong social connections are proven to improve mental health

 and resilience (Mind UK, 2024). Even online communities can remind you you’re not alone.

 

6. Protect Your Mental Diet

We think about food diets, but your mental diet matters just as much. Constant doomscrolling feeds anxiety.

Try setting boundaries:

• Limit news checks to once or twice daily.
• Curate your feeds — unfollow draining accounts, follow uplifting ones.
• Replace 10 minutes of scrolling with reading, journaling, or listening to something positive.

Research shows reducing social media use directly lowers depression and loneliness (Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 2018).

 

The Bottom Line

We’re living through challenging times, and no single tip will erase the pressures of the world. But by stacking small daily actions — a walk outside, a side hustle, a moment of calm, a daily supplement, or a chat with a friend — you build anchors of stability in the storm.

These steps don’t solve everything, but they make each day more manageable. And sometimes, that’s all we need: the strength to get through today, so we can try again tomorrow.

 

👉 If stress has been draining you, explore our Nu Mind stress support — designed to calm your system when life feels overwhelming.

 

✨ What’s the one habit you lean on when times feel tough? Share it with us @iwant2beofficial — your tip might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

 

References

• Mental Health Foundation. Cost of Living and Mental Health Report (2023).
• NHS. Exercise: Health Benefits (2024).
• Mental Health Foundation. Thriving with Nature (2023).
• Cochrane Library. Ashwagandha and Stress Reduction (2021).
• National Institutes of Health. Magnesium Fact Sheet (2023).
• NCBI. B-Vitamin Supplementation and Stress (2016).
• Mind UK. Connecting with Others and Mental Health (2024).
• Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression (2018).

 

 

FAQ content

1) What are “micro-moments of calm”?

Short 30–60 second pauses where you put your phone down, breathe slowly, and let your nervous system reset. Done a few times a day, they stack up and reduce stress.

2) How much walking helps with stress?

Aim for 20 minutes outdoors. The daylight helps to regulate your body clock, lowers cortisol, and improves mood. Gentle stretching works too (if walking isn’t possible).

3) What supplements help with stress?

Evidence most often cites ashwagandha, magnesium, and B-vitamins for stress, sleep quality, and fatigue support. *Always check with a healthcare professional if you’re on medication, pregnant, or have a condition.

4) How long does ashwagandha take to work?

Studies typically report benefits after 2–8 weeks of consistent daily use, depending on dose and individual response.

5) Is magnesium safe to take daily?

Generally well-tolerated within recommended amounts. Some forms can loosen stools; so take with food and follow label guidance. Speak to a professional if you are unsure.

6) Does cutting social media actually help?

Yes. Trials show that limiting social media reduces loneliness and depressive symptoms. Try checking news/feeds 1–2 times per day. You can create time limits on some devices to prevent over-access.

7) What are realistic side-income ideas?

Sell a skill online (design, tutoring), resell items (Vinted/eBay), or offer local services (dog walking, odd jobs). Small, steady inflows lower financial pressures.

8) When should I seek professional help?

If stress impacts your sleep, mood, appetite, work, or relationships for more than a few weeks, or you feel unsafe contact your GP, NHS 111, or reach out to Mind/Samaritans.