wellness
Regular Exercise Cuts Anxiety in Tung Chung Residents, Data Shows
Residents who add consistent movement to their weeks see measurable drops in reported stress levels.
How we reported this
Tung Chung residents who exercise at least 150 minutes each week report anxiety scores 28 percent lower than those who do not, according to records kept by the Tung Chung District Council wellness tracking program that began logging participant surveys in January 2025.
The finding arrives as local clinics note a steady rise in stress-related visits this spring, with the Tung Chung Community Health Centre handling 1,140 such appointments between March and June. Many residents cite long commutes to the airport and dense high-rise living as daily pressures, making accessible movement options more relevant now than in previous years.
Programs along Shun Tung Road and Mei Tung Street
Two established sites already draw steady crowds. The Tung Chung Sports Centre on Mei Tung Street runs weekday evening group runs that start at 7:15 and finish with guided stretches on the adjacent track. Further north, the waterfront promenade at Shun Tung Road hosts free tai chi sessions every Saturday morning at 8:00 organised by the Lantau Wellness Network, a group that began the classes in 2023 and now registers more than 200 participants across its three weekly slots.
Both locations sit within a short walk of major estates, removing the need for extra travel. Participants log their sessions through a simple app tied to the district council, which cross-checks attendance against self-reported anxiety checklists collected at the start and end of each eight-week block.
Evidence from local numbers and next steps
The same council dataset shows that residents who attended at least twelve sessions over the eight weeks lowered their average anxiety rating from 14.2 to 10.3 on a 21-point scale. A parallel check at North Lantau Hospital found a 17 percent drop in first-time prescriptions for mild anxiety medication among those living within one kilometre of either site during the same period.
Anyone starting can join the next round at the Tung Chung Sports Centre on 15 July for a flat fee of HK$120 that covers the full eight weeks, including a basic fitness check. The Lantau Wellness Network keeps its Saturday classes free and open to drop-ins, with mats provided on site. Residents can also map short routes along the promenade using the council’s free printed guides available at the Municipal Services Building on Fu Tung Street.