The stress test

Judging by our long working hours and numerous incidents of flared tempers, it is an understatement to say that Singaporeans are a stressed bunch. Eight in 10 young Singaporeans suffer from mild to severe stress, according to the Philips Index for Health and Well-being Report 2010.

While some stress isn't always a bad thing, too much of it over a long period of time can affect your health, said Dr Mabel Yum, senior clinical psychologist at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's (KTPH) department of psychological medicine.

"In a competitive environment like Singapore, stress is not unexpected. You can't run away from it, but what you can do is to learn to cope," she added.

So how can a stressed person get respite in fast-paced Singapore? We put three relaxation techniques to the test.