When Jocelyn Tan can no longer watch the markets tumble on her computer screen, she swaps her heels for slippers and heads to a spa.
'There's been so much turmoil lately that, on a quiet day, it's nice to find a place to unwind and not think about the markets,' says Tan.
Tan is one of a growing number of office workers seeking solace and comfort at the city's spas in an attempt to escape the dreaded GEDS (Global Economic Downturn Syndrome).
Landmark Mandarin Oriental spa director Marie Harrison says the spa is the perfect antidote to the economic downturn, with a noticeable increase in the number of people visiting during office hours.
'At stressful times, people want to relax [and now they probably have more time to relax because it's probably less busy at work,' Harrison says. 'People are also choosing to stay in Hong Kong and enjoy spa treatments - this is cheaper than flying away for a vacation.
'You can defer other forms of enjoyment such as shopping, but you can't defer looking and feeling good. And lastly, there are more good spa deals out there.'