Stress in the city: How Singaporeans prefer to destress

The effects of hyper urbanisation in APAC economies on stress and mental pressure have been studied in research conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit and supported by Pure Group.

The survey of 1,000 residents across five cities in Asia (Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei) found that 31% of Singaporeans about the future of overcrowding in cities in the next three years. Furthermore, 56% of Singaporeans agree that they feel the lack of sufficient personal space.

"One of the reasons of overcrowding in smaller cities like Singapore and Hong Kong could be due to inflows of migrants, whereas mainland Chinese cities have created reforms to restrict migrants to cap population growth," cited the findings of the study called, Making Space.

Vikram Natarajan, country director, Pure Group, Singapore linked the data on a lack of physical space and intense competition for limited resources to discomfort and stress on overall human well-being.

He said: "Given that Asia is home to some of the most densely populated cities in the world, it is imperative to understand the impact of overcrowding on mental health, how people cope with it, and if there are more effective tools to battle big city living."

Lead photo / 123RF Graphics / The Economist Intelligence Unit