The History of Christmas
1 Pre-Christian Origins: Winter Solstice Festivals
Before the celebration of Christmas, many cultures observed winter solstice festivals around December 2125, marking the shortest day and the “rebirth” of the sun.
Roman Saturnalia (17-23 December):
Honoured the god Saturn, celebrated with feasting, giftgiving, and temporary freedom for slaves, very similar to later Christmas customs
Yule (Norse/Germanic peoples):
Marked the return of the sun. Traditions such as the Yule log, feasting, and evergreen decorations (symbols of life) later influenced the celebration of Christmas Mithraism:
The cult of Mithras, a Persian sun god, celebrated his birth on December 25, which likely inspired the Christian choice of date.
2. The Christian Beginnings (1st-4th Century CE)
The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but no date is mentioned.
Early Christians focused on Easter, not Jesus’s birth
Around 336 CE, during the rule of Emperor Constantine, the first recorded Christmas celebration occurred in Rome on December 25.
This date likely aimed to replace or Christianize the popular pagan festivals celebrating the sun’s rebirth
3. Middle Ages: Christianity Spreads Christmas Traditions
By the 6th century, Christmas was widely celebrated across Europe.
Pope Gregory I (590-604) encouraged merging pagan customs with Christian meanings, leading to Christmas trees, holly, mistletoe, and feasts
The holiday became both a religious celebration (birth of Christ) and a festive public holiday with music, plays, and community gatherings
In medieval England, Christmas was a 12-day feast (leading to the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”).
4. Reformation and Puritan Backlash (1500s-1600s)
Protestant Reformation: Many reformers, including John Calvin and the Puritans, criticised Christmas as pagan and unbiblical
In England, Christmas was banned during Oliver Cromwell's rule (1647-1660).
In Puritan New England, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas until the late 1600s, as it was considered idolatrous and wasteful
The holiday only revived gradually after being reinstated by Charles II.
5. 19th Century: Reinvention of Christmas
This is when modern Christmas truly took shape, combining religious meaning with new cultural traditions
Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (1843): Revived the spirit of generosity and goodwill, shaping the modern emotional meaning of Christmas.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert:
Popularised the Christmas tree in Britain (a German custom) after being pictured with one in 1848
Santa Claus:
Derived from St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra (modern Turkey), known for giving gifts to the poor Dutch settlers in America brought the name “Sinterklaas”, which evolved into “Santa Claus”
The modern red-suited Santa emerged in Clement Clarke Moore’s poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823) and in Coca-Cola advertisements in the 1930s. Gift-giving, Christmas cards, and decorated trees became middle-class family traditions
6. 20th–21st Century: Global and Commercial Expansion
Christmas became both a religious and a secular holiday.
Commercialisation increased, shopping, advertising, and movies like It’s a Wonderful Life or Home Alone spread Christmas culture worldwide
Today, Christmas is celebrated in Christian and non-Christian countries alike, often as a cultural festival of generosity, family, and togetherness.
The Ultimate Christmas Movie Guide 2025
Elf
A modern holiday classic,Elf follows Buddy,a human raised by elves at the North Pole,as he navigates New York City in search of his real family Packed with laughs, heartwarming moments,and festive cheer,it’s a feel-good film that brings out the kid in everyone perfect for a cozy holiday movie night
Home Alone
The ultimate holiday classic,Home Alone follows young Kevin McCallister as he’s accidentally left home alone for Christmas,and hilariously defends his house from bumbling burglars. Full of clever traps, laughs,and heartwarming family moments,it’s a must-watch for holiday movie nights.
The Grinch
Whether you choose the classic animated version or the liveaction retelling,The Grinch tells the timeless story of a grumpy green creature trying to steal Christmas from Whoville — only to discover the true meaning of the holiday. Funny,heartwarming,and full of holiday cheer,it’s a mustwatch for the whole family.
Polar Express
The Polar Express is a magical holiday adventure that follows a young boy on a mysterious train journey to the North Pole. Filled with stunning animation, enchanting music,and the wonder of believing,it’s a heartwarming film that captures the magic of Christmas for kids and adults alike.
The Ultimate Christmas Movie Guide 2025
The Christmas Chronicles
The Christmas Chronicles is a fun,action-packed holiday movie following two siblings who team up with Santa Claus after a Christmas Eve mishap. Full of laughs,adventure,and festive magic,it’s a modern holiday favorite that’s perfect for family movie nights.
The Nightmare before Christmas
This stop-motion classic blends spooky fun with holiday cheer as Jack Skellington,the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town,discovers Christmas and decides to take over the holiday. Full of quirky characters,catchy songs,and Tim Burton’s signature style,it’s a unique festive favorite for kids,teens,and adults alike.
A Christmas Carol
This timeless holiday story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man who learns the true meaning of Christmas after visits from three magical ghosts. Full of heart,lessons,and festive spirit,A Christmas Carol is a classic that reminds viewers of the importance of kindness,generosity,and celebrating with loved ones.
The Holiday
The Holiday is a charming romantic comedy about two women who swap homes for the holidays and discover love and new beginnings With its cozy settings,heartfelt moments,and witty humor,it’s perfect for older teens and adults looking for a warmhearting movie to watch.
Preheat youroven to180°C and line a baking traywith parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mixtheflour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugartogether until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add theegg and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
Gradually add thedry ingredientstothewet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
Roll out thedough on a lightlyfloured surfaceto about ½ cm thick. Usecookiecuttersto makefun Christmasshapes — stars, trees, snowflakes, or hearts!
Placecookieson thetray and bakefor 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden.
Let thecookiescool completely, then decoratewith icing, sprinkles, or melted chocolate.
Ingredients:
2 ¾ cupsflour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 cup butter
1 ½ cupssugar
1 egg
1 tspvanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to180°C and line a cupcake tray with paper cases.
In a bowl, mixflour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda,set aside.
In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well
Slowly add the dry ingredients, alternating with milk, until you have a smooth batter.
Spoon the batter into cupcake cases, filling each about ¾ full Bakefor18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely before icing.
Forthe icing:
Mix butter, cocoa powder, and icing sugar together until smooth
Add milk gradually until the icing is creamy and spreadable.
Spread or pipe the icing onto the cupcakes.
Decorate with Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy look!
Abbreviations
MR - Magic ring
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip stitch
sc - Single crochet
dc - Double crochet
Crochet Ornament Coaster
1. Start with red yarn.
2. Make a magic ring (MR).
3 Round 1: 12 dc into the MR. Pull tight. Join with sl st to 1st dc. (12 sts)
4 Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc), 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each stitch around. Join with sl st. (24 sts)
5. Fasten off red yarn and weave in ends.
6 Attach gold yarn to the top of circle
7. Row 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc evenly across top edge. Turn. (6 sts)
8. Row 2: Ch 1, 6 sc. Turn.
9. Row 3: Ch 1, 6 sc. Do not fasten off.
10 Ch 18–25 (depending on desired loop length).
11. Sl st into first stitch of the row to form a loop.
12 Fasten off and weave in ends
Pine Cone Reindeer
Pinecones
Googly eyes
Brown felt or paper (for ears)
Small sticks (for antlers)
Red pom-pom (nose)
Hot glue or strong craft glue
1.Glue googly eyes onto the pinecone near the top.
2 Glue a red pom-pom underneath the eyes for the nose.
3 Cut ear shapes from brown felt and glue them on both sides.
4.Push or glue small sticks into the top of the pinecone to make antlers
5.Let dry — done! You now have a cute Rudolph!
Christmas Card:
Coloured cardstock or construction paper (brown or any background colour)
Green paper (for tree)
Yellow paper (star)
Scrap paper for presents
Glue stick
Scissors
Marker or pen
1 Fold a piece of cardstock in half to make the card base.
2.Cut 5–6 green rectangles in different sizes (from small to big).
3.Fold each rectangle like an accordion (back-andforth folding).
4 Glue the folded pieces inside the card, stacking them from biggest (bottom) to smallest (top) to form a tree.
5 Cut and glue a small brown rectangle for the trunk
6. Cut a small yellow star and glue it to the top of the tree.
7. Cut tiny paper squares to make presents and decorate them with drawn or ribbon bows
8. Write “Merry Christmas” or another festive greeting at the top.
Pompom Christmas Tree:
Materials: Green yarn, red pom-poms/beads, cardstock or foam cone, scissors, glue, yarn needle
1.Make cone: Roll cardstock into a cone and secure
2.Make pom-poms:
Wrap yarn around fingers close to 60 times Slide off, tie tightly in the middle, cut loops, and fluff.
3 Assemble: Glue pom-poms around the cone starting at the bottom and working up.
4 Decorate: Add red pom-poms or beads as ornaments.
5.Finish: Place on a stand and enjoy your festive tree!
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR KIDS CHRISTMAS
Your paragraph text
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEENS CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEENS
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEENS CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEENS
Your paragraph text
Hanukkah Songs
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration The songs often focus on the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees.
"Ma'ozTzur" (Rock of Ages):A traditional hymn sung after the Menorah is lit each night.
"Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"):A popular Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) song
"The Dreidel Song" (I Have a Little Dreidel):A very common children's song about the traditional game.
"The Chanukah Song" (Adam Sandler):A famous modern novelty song that lists Jewish celebrities
Global Winter Songs
Many countries have unique songs for Christmas or the broader winter season that reflect their local culture:
"Petit Papa Noël" (France):A song sung from a child's perspective, hoping Santa won't forget the toys
"A Pukeko in a PongaTree" (New Zealand/Māori):A version of "TheTwelve Days of Christmas" that uses local birds and plants.
"Carol of the Bells" (Ukraine/USA): Originally a Ukrainian folk chant called "Shchedryk" composed by Mykola Leontovych, based on a NewYear's well-wishing song, later adapted with English Christmas lyrics
"Feliz Navidad" (Global/Puerto Rican):A bilingual (Spanish/English) song of good cheer by José Feliciano.
Kwanzaa Songs
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26th to January 1st. Songs focus on the seven core principles.
"Kwanzaa Is Here" or "Seven Days of Kwanzaa": Songs specifically written to celebrate the holiday and often teach the seven principles (Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani)
Songs like "Furaha" (Swahili for joy) are often sung, sometimes as part of medleys that incorporate African musical styles and languages.
New Year's Songs
These songs focus on reflection, looking forward, and celebrating the turn of the year.
"Auld Lang Syne":The most famous NewYear's Eve song, based on a Scottish poem, traditionally sung to remember old friends and the times shared.
"WhatAreYou Doing NewYear's Eve?":A classic jazz and pop standard about meeting up with a loved one on NewYear's Eve
"Happy NewYear" (ABBA):A popular, contemplative song often associated with the holiday.
“It’sThe Final Countdown”:A commonly used song, played typically after the end of the countdown to introduce the new year
3 December Sophie Benham
The cross-country race may have been the reason we went, but the real marathon was present through a long day spent lingering through different airports, multiple bus and metro rides and the maze of cobbled streets that miraculously led us to world renowned ancient sites.
The trip started at 4:45 a.m., at the crack of dawn, in Brussels airport by the Starbucks on the ground floor. Everyone looked bleary eyed yet was fuelled with excitement and adrenaline for the exciting day ahead and to explore a whole foreign world, different to our regular routines Until our flight got delayed The 8 hours at Brussels airport went by quite swiftly, with the multiple food and beverage spots available, the duty free and even media stores where we could test out microphones and drum kits I brought my sketchbook to sketch the different architectural perspectives in the airport - however, after what seemed like a million sketches later, my friend and I found a comfy area to doze off for a while.
Somewhere between Belgium and Rome, a key highlight of the long day, was finding a pair of comfy lounge chairs with pillows and blankets, lots and lots of overpriced snacks and an iPad playing the movie ‘White Chicks’ My friend and I stayed in these chairs for what felt like hours, until we finally boarded our second flight of the day
We landed in Rome at around midnight, with exhaustion lingering in the air The airport was quiet, but outside in the bitterly cold night was even quieter, with only the buzzing sounds of the buses whirring on, awaiting the arrival of
tourists. The dim streetlights and the quiet roman neighborhoods were visible from inside the bus as well as the urge to finally settle down and have an undisturbed sleep
The smell of fresh bread and sun rays crept through the window and into my room, signaling the commence of our first full day in Rome. With only around 5 hours of sleep and the desire to creep back into our beds, we put our racing clothes on for the day and packed our bags We quickly ran out of the hotel with no time to spare and a paper bag piled high with cakes and pastries for breakfast that the kind employee (although I did not understand him very well as he only spoke Italian) urged me to take
After an hour and many wrong turns later, we finally arrived at our destination, Marymount The school was built on a hill, with a huge rustic looking building in the centre, one that looked like an isolated house on a farm in rural Italy There were tall, luscious Italian cypress trees lining the school campus, multiple modern buildings and a terrace outside the cafeteria, an outdoor basketball court and grassy field, and even a vast area of grass that was directly under the sun – the perfect place for tanning.
After the opening ceremony, and an introduction to all the schools present, we headed out to the main field where the race was going to take place Whilst walking around the track and the blaring sun above causing heat waves all around me, I knew this was about to be a long day ahead. The running part of the day was painful, the huge hill we had to sprint up was pure torture, and by the end of all the races I was glad I did not have to run until the next morning One key memory of my first day at the school was meeting a lovely group of girls who were helping out with their event for their CAS Their names were Simona, Feven, Tosia, and Luna. Even though I only got to know them for two days, it felt like I’d known them for years, which is another reason that makes these sports trips so memorable – the different people you have the opportunity to meet I am still in contact with each and every one of them and before I left, promised to let them know when I was going to be in Rome next, and vice versa with Brussels.
We decided on a trip into the city centre for some nice pizza and pasta and cultural sightseeing, after a long and tiring day of sports The metro ride into the city centre was crowded and chaotic, having to split up into little groups and then reemerging into a large one, praying no one was lost or did not get off the metro. The first ancient sight we saw was the Flaminio Obelisk with lion statues surrounding it. Walking the streets of Rome was a cultural experience (fashion wise) and a dream come true We walked by every designer store possible, from Maison Margiela to Miu Miu And it was then that I decided that Rome was my new favourite city.
We were all starving by the time we got to the restaurant, and after a quick game of “I Spy” our food arrived. I ordered a beef ragu pasta dish and even got to observe it being made as there was a clear glass window between my table and the kitchen. After dinner we walked down some small alley ways, and I got subtle hints of déjà vu from when I was 12 years old and walking down the cobbled streets of Rome for the first time
Walking down narrow alleys was starting to get repetitive and every stone building we passed was the same, when all of a sudden, the Trevi fountain appeared It was just as magnificent since the last time I saw it and it was such an immense surprise how a huge historical landmark could be hidden away so effortlessly between backstreets. Having spent hours walking around the city centre, we decided to call it a day and trek all the way back to the hotel where my warm bed was awaiting me
The next day felt like the calm after a violent storm. The smell of warm, fresh bread woke me up again and this particular morning, we had time to sit down and enjoy a proper breakfast of yoghurts, cereal, and pastries. We slowly gathered onto the bus and did not endure any wrong turns on the way to school and got there in only half an hour
The only race on the second day was the relay, and the only thing keeping me going was the thought of seeing the Colosseum later in the afternoon The relay brought every single team together, with huge echoes of cheering and clapping of hands all throughout the racing path. In the end the relay team I was on came in first and all four of us left with a gold medal and a feeling of relief that the active running part of the trip was over.
As soon as it hit lunchtime at 1 o’clock, we all sprinted to the cafeteria (the only justifiable use of running after our races) The cafeteria was huge and filled with the most delicious foods The only beverage served in the cafeteria was water with different citrus fruits and the salad bar was stocked with all the different vegetables you could think of and a Greek salad that was covered with the creamiest feta cheese The main course was choices between pesto pasta, tomato pasta, and many more, and there were focaccia pizzas with an array of different kinds of toppings. The best part of the cafeteria was that it was a buffet, and you could fill your tray with as much food as you wa t d All th teams sat on the terrace, and th up above and truly delectable f it was the perfect end to competition at the school After sad goodbyes to my newly mad lots of thank yous for being so w boarded the bus and headed int
Seeing the Colosseum was even more impressive than in the photos, and after walking around for a little bit and taking multiple team photos, we headed to the train station to board our train to the airport. In the train station, we had free time to wander around for a little bit, so my group and I decided to go on the hunt for a souvenir shop. At the shop I acquired multiple postcards to include in my art book as well as a small
figure of an angel to gift to my mum and a fridge magnet of Rome. At the Rome airport, we indulged in some dinner, and already tired of all the pizza and pasta that was eaten over the course of 2 days, I decided to go for a smash burger with fries We finally boarded the flight to Belgium, resuming the show my row and I could not finish on the flight to Rome, and even though a wonderful journey with endless memories was coming to an end, I was excited to catch up on all of the hours of sleep I had missed in Rome. Thinking back on the trip, a key part that I am grateful for, Is the huge privilege of being able to fly to different countries to participate in huge tournaments and to meet a vast variety of different people as well as experiencing new and foreign cultures to our own This trip to Rome was definitely not taken for granted and even though at times it was really stressful, I enjoyed it every step of the way It is definitely safe to assume that this trip was not a trip to forget, and that I will be back to the beautiful city in the foreseeable future.
Original art work: Theo Perrin
Write For Rights Campaign
The Write for Rights Campaign is an opportunity to bring light to cases all around the world where human rights have been violated. With this, you have the opportunity to write to either a Government body, or the victim themselves to demand justice or to let the person know that they are not alone and the world hears them. Write your letter today to demand the justice for all who might not have the voice to do it themselves.
Sonia Dahmani - Tunisia
Unecebo Mboteni - South Africa
Unecebo Mboteni was a three-year-old boy who was full of life who loved to play with his toy cars. On 18 April 2024, Unecebo fell into a pit toilet at his preschool in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He died the next day. Since 2018, two other children have died after falling into pit toilets in the Eastern Cape. However, there is still no movement to eradicate toilet pits in all schools, and the Mboteni family have not heard anything from the preschool or Department of Basic Education. Unecebo’s father said ‘My son died in a death trap set up for poor people Unecebo lost his life in a place where he should have been safe. His family deserves answers. th
Juan Lopez - Honduras
Juan Lopez was a loving father and husband who practised his faith by serving his community and always supporting the most vulnerable. Since 2015, Juan tirelessly defended his local environment in northern Honduras from mining and energy projects that have threatened local rivers, forests and the Carlos Escaleras Mejia National Park. Juan and fellow activists founded the Tocoa Municipal Committee for the Defence of Common and Public Goods to peacefuly challenge these dangerous projects. However, they were met with harassment, threats and criminalization. Many committee members have been arrested, imprisoned and even killed. on 14 September 2024, Juan was shot dead in his car by a masked gunman as he left church. The alleged shooter has been charged with murder, however, those who ordered Juan’s murder have not been held accountable Demand justice for Juan Lopez. th
Sonia Dahmani is a woman loved dearly by her friends and family for her love of wildlife, art and music. Sonia is a lawyer and media commentator who has dedicated her life to defending human rights. She has been very vocal in expressing her critic of inhumane prison conditions and racism, regularly addressing these issues on television and radio shows. On 11 May 2024, masked policemen violently raided the Tunisian Bar association and arrested Sonia. She was convicted and sentenced for ‘spreading false news’ and is being held in Manouba prison. She is facing many years in prison for speaking out against injustices while the authorities attempt to silence her. She has been subject to inhumane conditions with living in a rat-infested cell and is being denied medical care that she needs Demand Sonia’s release now
Damisoa - Madagascar
In 2021, Damisoa and his family were forced to leave their home in the Androy region, Southern Madagascar due to the worsening droughts caused by climate change. This meant there was not enough food to survive. After a fourmonth 1,500 km journey to the north-west of Madagascar in hopes for a new start, they were met with disappointment. in 2023, they were allocated a tiny 5m hut at a resettlement site. Each rainy season, the Kamoro river swells, encircling the site with fast, crocodile-infested waters, making it very dangerous for residents to leave The Boeny region is in desperate need of humanitarian aid as most aid is being concentrated in southern Madagascar Demand that the Governent takes urgent steps to address the hunger, homelessness and poor healthcare faced by Damisoa and other displaced by drought across Madagascar.
A group of activists who fight alongside UDAPT and the Eliminen los Mecheros, Encindan la Vida collective, to protect their communities from the damage caused by gas flares
Despite having won a lawsuit against the Ecuadorian state in 2020, gas flares are still being used, and the group is not being celebrated for their bravery. Rather they face stigma and violent intimidation, and Ecuadorian authorities are telling them to stop their activism instead of investigating the threats against them
Call on Ecuador to eliminate gas flares and protect climate defenders
In Myanmar, more than 200 journalists have been arrested by the military after they took power in 2021. After Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar in May 2023, journalist Sai Zaw Thaike travelled undercover to Rakhine State to report on the devastation He embedded himself with a relief team but after a week he was arrested, interrogated and beaten In September 2023, he was sentenced by a military tribunal to 20 years in prison with hard labour during a trial that lasted a single day Instead of being allowed to report freely, Sai Zaw is locked up, enduring beatings from prison staff and periods of solitary confinement
Demand that Myanmar's military release him immediately
Come and join us to write letters and Christmas cards, every lunchtime in the cafeteria 8-12 December!
‘Here I Stand’ with
Human Rights: A Book Review.
On occasion, Amnesty International gets together multiple authors and produces a book full of short stories. This time, they have focused the book for younger readers with Here I Stand, with 25 contributing authors including people such as Jackie Kay, Matt Haig and Neil Gaiman. These authors explored where we are with human rights in today’s society and how they might look around the world. The book explores the questions of the sacrifices made to win on human rights, the sacrifices still need to be made, how, where and why these rights are under attack and how deep is the need to defend them.
Each story is incredibly touching, and when I finished reading them, the messages of those stories kept repeating in my head I really loved reading “Stay Home” by Sita Brahmachari, which was based on a young girl who Brahmachari saw in a school reception who had to take her mother to a doctor’s appointment and was exhausted when she arrived to school I equally loved reading “School of Life” by Elizabeth Laird, which was both touching but also disturbing. The story was about a young girl who had been trafficked to London by her step-uncle, under false promises that he would help her, and the reality is that human trafficking still happens everywhere in the world and is a very large problem And these first two stories are just a taste of the incredible stories and poems within the book There is also the poem “Constant” by Jackie Kay, who wrote this alongside the poems “Glasgow Snow” and “Push the Week”, all of which were written in response to the stories told to her by three different women. The title itself was already intriguing, but when I read the poem, it felt like I had uncovered a treasure trove of feelings which had previously been hidden.
I loved the Dulce et Decorum Est by Chibundu Onuzo, exploring the harsh realities with gang violence in London The first entry, Harvester Road by John Boyne, brilliantly explores the different ways of sexual assault through very simple stories of characters on Harvester Road. I thought the simplicity of this short story spoke volumes to the problem of sexual assault and sexual predators, as it is often very hard to determine when someone is assaulting someone and being a sexual predator This was successfully highlighted throughout the story as the predators were never outlined as one, however the underlying message of the story was how sexual assault can be hard to see if you are not looking for it.
Here I Stand is an important and thoughtprovoking book Its stories highlight the numerous struggles throughout the world and how different people can be attacked in different ways. The formats of these stories are vastly different, however tie together nicely all to try and achieve the same goal: spread awareness of human rights abuses around the world If you are interested, this book will be available in the library.
Day of Persons with Disabilities
December
3rd
The Theme
Stress and Anxiety
What is Stress?
Anaturalresponsetoachallengeor pressure
→happenswhenourbodypreparesto handleatask,deadline,orsituation.
→usuallytemporary+whensituation passessodothesymptoms
Howitfeels
HeartRacing
MuscleTension
TroubleSleeping
FeelingOverwhelmed
Stress=responsetoasituation
Anxiety=ongoingreactionwithoutclear reason Differences
What is Anxiety?
Apersistentfearorworrythatdoesn’t goaway,evenwhenthereisnoreal threat.
→canaffectdailylife
→real+treatablenotapersonalityflaw
Howitfeels
Tightchest,difficultybreathing
Constant“whatif”thoughts+ uncontrollable
Irrationalfearordread
Feelingunsafefornoclearreason
Manyteensexperiencestressandanxiety-youarenotalone.
Reducing Stigma
Justcalmdown. I’mhereforyou.Doyou wanttotalk? You’reoverreacting. HowcanIsupportyou?
Everyoneisstressed. Yourexperiencematters.
Mindfulness&Relaxation:Breathing
exercises,meditationandgrounding techniques
Talktoasafeperson
Breaktasksintotinychunks
Moveanddoexercise
Whateverthereason,ifyouneedto talk,someonewillbetheretolisten.
Written by:
Ece Beril Ciklacekic
Sophie Benham
Braulio de Melo
Amnesty G.I.N
Facilitator: Ali Clarke
Helena
Marc Cerrahoglu