Support After the Tai Po Fire

If the Tai Po fire or related updates are bringing up intense reactions, start with these trauma-sensitive exercises or pause and reach out for crisis help (call 999 in Hong Kong or visit our Emergency Support page).

Interactive Tool

Guided Self-Care Activities

Explore evidence-based techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions. Each activity includes step-by-step instructions and can be done anytime, anywhere.

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Showing 12 activities

Box Breathing

Breathing2 minEasy

A simple breathing technique that helps calm your nervous system and reduce anxiety.

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Grounding5 minEasy

A sensory awareness technique to bring you back to the present moment.

Body Scan Meditation

Mindfulness10 minMedium

A mindfulness practice that helps you connect with physical sensations and release tension.

Thought Challenge Worksheet

Cognitive10 minMedium

A cognitive technique to identify and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Relaxation15 minMedium

Systematically tense and relax muscle groups to release physical stress.

Gratitude Practice

Gratitude5 minEasy

Reflect on positive aspects of your day to boost mood and perspective.

4-7-8 Breathing

Breathing3 minEasy

A breathing pattern that promotes relaxation and can help with sleep.

Mindful Walking

Mindfulness10 minEasy

Walking meditation that combines movement with present-moment awareness.

Safe Harbor Grounding

Trauma SupportGrounding6 minEasy

Short visualization that helps you build a mental “safe harbor” before revisiting distressing details—ideal when you feel jumpy or destabilized.

Breath Ladder for Surges

Trauma SupportBreathing4 minEasy

A trauma-sensitive breath practice that gradually lengthens the exhale to turn down the alarm response without causing dizziness.

Containment Box Visualization

Trauma SupportMindfulness8 minMedium

A classic trauma-therapy technique adapted for self-guided practice to temporarily “contain” overwhelming memories.

Aftershock Planning Worksheet

Trauma SupportCognitive12 minMedium

A structured journaling prompt to map the next 48 hours, identify support, and decide what can wait after a crisis.

Guided Worksheets

Pick a worksheet to read the guidance, fill in the prompts, and download a PDF copy for your own records or to share with a supporter.

Thought-Grounding

Capture the trigger, facts, sensory anchors, and gentle reminders to steady yourself.

Worry Window

Schedule a short window to explore worries, plan actions, and then release them.

Talk to Yourself Like a Friend

Rewrite harsh self-talk in the voice you would use with someone you care about.

My Support Network

Map immediate contacts, community resources, and professionals you can reach out to.

About These Activities

These self-care activities are based on evidence-based practices from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and other therapeutic approaches.

Important notes:

  • These techniques are tools for self-care, not a replacement for professional help
  • Regular practice increases effectiveness
  • Different activities work for different people—experiment to find what helps you
  • If you're in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please visit our Emergency Support page