The history of hugs is so interesting that it’s a shame we don’t talk about it that much. Most people including myself love hugging, but do we really know why? Hugging was known most likely to share body warmth, it’s a behavior with origins in human instinct, with the word “hug” coming from the old word “hugga”  meaning “to comfort”. Humans are incredibly connected all over the world. Although we all think uniquely we all have to hug someone special, and it feels so naturally good. A hug is a need. We certainly do it to greet someone sometimes, but when people do not receive a hug it is not a secret that the person it’s not feeling good emotionally, science and life lessons like covid, have proven that it’s an essential action in human behavior.

   Written by Erica Cirino updated  on April 11, 2018 “receiving hugs can have physical and mental benefits. A person should get 8 to 12 hugs per day, and hold them for just about 20 seconds each. A lot of people do not like hugs, but hugging your pet or even yourself can help”. Very well minded, published on January 31, 2022 Hugs boost oxytocin in our bodies, which is associated with the emotion of happiness. It decreases the release of cortisol, making you less stressed and improving your sleep. Have you heard that when two bodies hug each other their heart beats go faster when they’re in love? or that both hearts are aligned? A hug literally lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, improves your cardiovascular system, and reduces anxiety giving the feeling of belonging and safety. 

     How can we prove hugs are necessary? Well, in 2020, with the covid the pandemic taught us so many things, but one of the most important was that it shows how so many of us rely on hugs for a sense of security, consolation and a feeling that “everything is going to be okay”. This tragedy shows the importance of being hugged, families apart from their loved ones, causing depression, anxiety and stress unfortunately is a good example why we need to be hugged to be happy. Emma Bryce published The importance of this act is naturally practiced in the animal kingdom in May 29, 2021 letting us become more profoundly aware of the significance of this simple act in our human lives. Animals hug each other, like bonobos, primates that are more likely to be smart as a human being, the evidence in this article shows that hugging reassures these primates, just as it does humans. In the animal kingdom, hugs can be a very powerful weapon for those orphan animals, indicating the importance of parental care in laying the foundation for this social gesture in primates. The bonobos, when they hear a predator or another group of chimpanzees, you’ll see them touching each other and embracing to be calm.

     This fact from bonobos and other species is demonstrating that we are connected by a simple action like just wrapping our hands around each other and feeling that comfort. These two sources are a great combination but why?. Animals and humans are related to each other by nature and actions that both have in common, but the most stronger is the bonds between the same species. Hugs show the connection between every kind of species and its importance, letting us know that we are not alone and that a simple contact between two beings can help us understand, and communicate with others, letting us comprehend other souls without even talking. Sometimes this work expects a lot from all of us, a hug allows us to be vulnerable without feeling guilty about it. Is a silent language that says “i see you, and i got you”. Sometimes words aren’t enough but a hug is, and it’s proven because bonobos can’t talk, but that feeling when they embrace each other is what gives them peace. Humans can talk but sometimes they don’t want you, and a hug can make more sense to a person than a thousand words. 

The Public Library of Science published an article called “To hug or not to hug? Public and private displays of affection and relationship satisfaction among people from Indonesia, Nepal, and Poland”. They explain that hugs and affection improved well being. However in some cultures this embracing thing changes. In these countries I mentioned before cultural norms influence the expression of affection in public spaces. They did an experiment with 62 men and 108 women from Indonesia. 120 from Nepal, 56 men and 64 women. 172 polish participants, 72 men and 99 women aged from 18-49. Polish Participants reported the highest level of affection, while Indonesian participants scored the lowest. Also there was no difference between participants from nepal and poland. At the end of the experiment although Indonesia had the lowest, all three countries had a positive correlation between displays of affection and relationship satisfaction. This is important because this action of hugging someone gives greater life satisfaction and happiness. In some cases, countries that take religious or cultural beliefs can’t demonstrate public affection in public, but even those people privately demonstrate a sense of private satisfaction with their partner. Affection is a word that is different depending on people, affection is personalized as kissing frequency or affectionate touch like a hug. A hug is the communication between people no matter if private or public relations.

In addition to the fact that we all enjoy being hugged, when we were children we loved hugs even more because they made us feel safe and protected. In the first story, the author Shanla Brookshire, along with School Library Journal, explains that a baby enjoys the hugs received from different family members and even attempts to give them back. This raises an interesting question: how do babies understand that hugs are something comforting? The sense of touch is one of the earliest to develop. The receptors in a baby’s skin begin functioning as early as seven weeks in utero, allowing them to feel pressure and warmth. Through hugs, babies learn to associate human touch with security and emotional comfort. A hug is not just a simple gesture; it plays a powerful role in shaping attachment, emotional stability, and healthy brain development. When a baby is hugged, their body releases oxytocin, which lowers stress levels and strengthens the bond between the baby and their caregiver. 

The impact of hugs continues throughout life. For children, teenagers, and adults, hugs can provide reassurance, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of belonging. People who have experienced emotional pain or trauma can find healing through consistent, caring hugs, as they help rebuild trust and provide a feeling of safety. Hugs communicate love, understanding, and connection without the need for words, making them one of the most powerful forms of human comfort. But why am I bringing the fact that babies love hugs? There is proof that adults, even animals, and babies love physical touch especially hugs, proving that the most simple action is worth a lot from the smallest person to other types of primates.

In conclusion, hugs are much more than a simple sign of affection; they are a fundamental part of human and animal connection. From babies who develop a sense of safety through hugs to adults who rely on them for emotional support, this gesture plays an essential role in well-being. Scientific evidence proves that hugs help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve emotional stability, and strengthen bonds between individuals. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of hugs revealed how important they are for comfort, reassurance, and mental health, showing that this physical contact is not just desired but truly necessary.

Furthermore, the fact that primates like bonobos also use hugs to calm and protect each other demonstrates that this behavior is universal and instinctive. Across different cultures, although public affection may vary, hugs consistently contribute to relationship satisfaction and emotional connection. This simple action allows people to express love, vulnerability, and understanding without words, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful form of communication is a warm embrace that says, “I see you, and you are not alone.”

I honestly think this was the best and easiest class. It made me feel comfortable writing and organizing my work. My writing is better now, and what I liked the most is that Professor Lobell didn’t judge me or lower my grade if I had some grammatical mistakes in my writing. This class helped me gather, interpret, and assess information from other people’s perspectives (for example, my classmates). I learned how to evaluate evidence and how I can use it for my own personal purposes, not just for college. Producing well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence taught me that whenever I’m saying something, I need to support it with evidence so that I have strong credibility and others can understand why my perspective is right or wrong. Finally, this class showed me that writing is a good way to communicate and express ourselves by using evidence and valid reasoning in the eyes of others, and by accepting that other people can convey their own perspectives, for example, during peer review, when some of us gave advice and used each other’s ideas can be use a good example of building community.

In addition to explaining what this class offered me, my analysis essay shows that this class helped me learn how to gather, understand, and evaluate information. When I was writing my assignments, especially the analysis essay, I had to do peer review, take advice from classmates and my professor, and choose the best sources to get the strongest result. This made me slow down and really think about what each source was saying instead of just picking the first thing I found. I also learned how to break down ideas and organize them in a way that made sense, which helped me write more clearly and stay focused on my main point. I learned how to respect others’ perspectives and how to use their opinions to improve my analysis essay. When I finished my draft, I felt comfortable and confident because I knew I did a good job. Things are good when you follow the instructions. This is very important and demonstrates that this class provided a good way for me to learn how to be thoughtful, gather information, and share my perspectives with others.

Another important assignment was the personal essay, which helped me talk about something that, in real life, I was not able to be open about with anyone else. In this essay, the main point was to use a personal experience as the topic and explain the difficulties and solutions I had to go through. This assignment is one of the best examples of how we built community in class because during the peer review we connected with each other’s stories, and we were able to sympathize and understand our classmates on a deeper level. The assignment showed the importance of writing as a way to express ourselves and let classmates help us find the best way to communicate our ideas. The personal essay also taught me how powerful it can be to put emotions and experiences into words. While I was writing, I realized that organizing my thoughts made the situation easier to understand, and it even helped me see how much I grew from that experience. Hearing feedback from my peers and professor made me feel supported, and it showed me that writing can create a safe space where we can share our perspectives without feeling judged. Overall, this assignment helped me become more confident and thoughtful as a writer and as a person.

In addition to the personal essay, another assignment that played a major role in my learning this semester was the research paper. Working on this project helped me develop stronger critical thinking skills because I had to evaluate multiple sources, understand different perspectives, and organize my ideas with clear evidence. I also learned how to synthesize my body paragraphs so my paper could flow better and stay focused on the main argument. This assignment challenged me to slow down, be more careful with my research process, and make sure every claim I made was supported by reliable information. One of the most valuable parts of the research paper experience was going to the library and learning how to use the databases. Before this class, I didn’t really know how to find trustworthy sources or how to tell which information was actually credible. By working closely with the librarian and exploring the tools available, I learned how to choose sources that were useful, relevant, and appropriate for my topic. This not only helped me improve the quality of my research paper, but also taught me skills that I can use in future classes and even outside of college. Overall, the research paper showed me how important it is to be thoughtful, organized, and intentional when presenting information.

Overall, this class taught me much more than how to write essays, it taught me how to think, communicate, and collaborate in meaningful ways. Every assignment, from the analysis essay to the personal narrative and the research paper, helped me grow as both a writer and a student. I learned how to evaluate information, express my ideas clearly, and understand the perspectives of others. I also realized how important it is to use evidence, stay organized, and follow instructions to create strong and thoughtful work. Most importantly, this class showed me that writing can build community, confidence, and connection when we support each other through feedback and shared experiences. I am leaving this course with skills I can use not only in college, but in real-life situations, and I am grateful for how much this class helped me improve.

One of the best and worst pieces of news I have ever received was finding out that I was coming to the United States. I never imagined that leaving the Dominican Republic would be so hard. It made me feel depressed many times. Three years have passed since I arrived, and my journey has been full of obstacles and challenges. Many of these challenges began when I started school. Leaving my family, especially my two lovely grandmothers, one of whom passed away a week ago, and my friends was very difficult. Moving to a completely new place was hard. Despite all the problems, I learned to cope with everything over time and to understand that everything happens for a reason.

In 2022, I came to the United States thinking it would be like in the movies and that everything would be perfect. That was a mistake. When I was at the airport, I did not cry, but when I woke up the next morning, everything felt completely different. I no longer felt like I was with my family because it had been so long since I had seen my brothers, and it felt awkward. My first impression when I went out on the streets was that everyone was different from the people in my home country. Everyone seemed rude, no one had time, and my family was busy working, so I felt lonely most of the time. I arrived during the summer, so there was no school yet, and I did not know what it would be like. When I went to the school to enroll, they gave me the news that I would be downgraded to 9th grade again. My English was not very good, and even though I had a basic understanding, I was always too embarrassed to speak it. On top of that, I had no knowledge of the Regents exams. I agreed with the school’s decision since the other options were not any better, and I was completely new to everything, so I accepted it.

As time passed, the thought of being in classes with people of different ages, having to adjust to new subjects and old ones, and doing it all over again became overwhelming. I was terrified that I would not be capable of passing the Regents. Being new was my biggest challenge, it stressed me so much that I felt physical pain and cried when I got home from studying. This was because I have always tried to do my best in my studies, and academic validation has always been important to me. The first few months of school were the hardest. I used to go to class nervous every day, afraid the teacher would call on me to read out loud or answer a question in English. I remember one time in English class when I had to read a paragraph, and my accent made everyone laugh. I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to disappear. That moment stayed in my head for a long time, and I started to avoid talking as much as possible. The Regents never seemed that hard for me, but when the teachers started to put pressure on me, I was terrified. My principal was mean, and he told me that if I didn’t pass all nine Regents, I would not be able to graduate.

I was going through a lot, leaving my country and my family, and now facing a pressure that I thought I would never experience. Time passed, and I studied every day for hours. Sometimes I just couldn’t hold myself together, and I found myself crying because of the stress. The week of the Regents, I was so stressed out that my shoulders were hurting. I thought that with a pill I would be fine, but at 2:00 a.m. I had to call my parents so they could take me to the hospital. The answer was the same, physical pain from stress. My shoulders felt like a rock, and the crying made it worse. After the Regents, I felt a big relief, I passed them of course, and with time, I got used to the Regents and passed them all. With this, I just want to say that being a teen immigrant is not for the weak. It’s something that makes me proud because I know that life always gets better and that I am not the only one in this situation.

I also started to learn about American culture little by little. At first, I did not understand many traditions, like Thanksgiving or prom. In my country, we have different ways of celebrating and expressing ourselves. I missed the warmth of the people, the loud music, and the food from back home. But I also began to appreciate new things here, like how organized everything is, how people value education, and how many opportunities there are if you work hard. I learned to balance both cultures and take the best from each one. Even though I struggled with English, it slowly started to get easier. I began to understand more conversations and even make jokes with my classmates. I joined school clubs and participated in events that helped me meet new people. That was how I met some of my closest friends, who made me feel like I belonged. We shared similar stories about moving to a new country and starting over. It made me realize I was not alone and that many others were going through the same things.

All these challenges made things even harder. Academically, I did well, but emotionally, I was struggling a lot. The environment was completely different from what I was used to. However, all of this led me to the conclusion that I had to appreciate what I had accomplished and understand that everything is temporary. I made many friends, the most important of whom are still with me today and have given me a lot of support. I also received help from my teachers and counselors and have shared many meaningful moments thanks to these people, including my parents, who sacrificed everything for me to be here today. Now, when I look back, I can see how much I have grown as a person. Moving to another country taught me to be more independent and patient. I learned to value small things, like being able to communicate better every day, understanding jokes in English, or explaining something without being afraid. I still miss my country, my family, and my old friends, but I know that this experience has made me stronger and more mature.

In conclusion, I’m ready to fail, and I want to fail so many times that I can master the art of failure and try everything without fear. Adapting to life in the United States presents many challenges, from cultural and language barriers to adjusting to a new social and academic environment. Moving to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming because it requires people to adapt to new customs, systems, and expectations. While the journey is often full of frustration and confusion, it also brings chances for growth, learning, and self-discovery. The key to overcoming these challenges is resilience, patience, and the willingness to accept new experiences. In the end, adjusting to life in the United States is not just about overcoming difficulties but also about becoming stronger and learning more about yourself.

Critical thinking makes it a better way to challenge ourselves. Psychology need more that belief and opinions to grow as a science, and to achieve this, critical thinking as a fundamental base is the way. This critical thinking includes question assumptions and skepticism, to get a logical answer but also a clear evidence of why things happen the way it does. This elements support psychology as a science and provides a lot of diverse perspectives because everyone has a different way to use critical thinking. Therefore, psychology would lose its credibility and strength without critical thinking and the others two factor that goes with it.

     To get more determine about this concept, critical thinking, skepticism and question assumptions work in one to a better explanation of what psychology have for us. Psychology is challenging, as we made assumptions, our thoughts get more developed and get stronger ideas. let’s make it more clear, questioning assumptions start the process and make you think, “is this information or idea valid?”. Then, critical thinking gives the tools to analyze the information and find the logic of it, and skepticism keeps our knowledge at a certain limit and stop us from jumping to conclusions without having a solid evidence. This three together make sure that psychology remains a science based on evidence not intuition, beliefs or opinions. 

     In addition to bring question assumptions and skepticism, critical thinking offer others tools that allow to analyze our data logically. What happens is that in psychology this type of tools includes others concepts, the scientific method, naturalistic observation, and statistical analysis, those aligned with critical thinking skills are going to help proof your hypothesis. Critical thinking is thereto ensure that psychology grows as a science everyday based on evidence. Psychology has a pattern that can’t be ignored or changed, and it’s important to keep those ideas in mind.

     Another important factor of critical thinking is its role in decision-making. When people make choices critically, they are less likely to be influenced by negative information, or emotional reactions. Instead, they rely on logic, reliable evidence, and diverse perspectives to reach well-informed conclusions. For example, students applying critical thinking in research projects do not simply accept sources at face value but evaluate their credibility, context, and relevance. This habit make an stronger arguments and more trustworthy results. In everyday life, critical thinking helps people to get options responsibly, leading to smarter decisions that benefit both themselves and their communities.

     In conclusion, critical thinking can help to build a better communication and knowledge base in strong evidence. Questioning assumptions and skepticism work with critical thinking to approach a situation as logical as possible. Individuals develop a clearer understanding of complex issues and with that, they about being misled by unreliable claims or belief. This mindset not only improves the quality of learning but also prepares people to participate responsibly in society. Whether in school, at work, or in daily life, critical thinking promotes independence, and fairness if well used. Ultimately, it provides individuals with the intellectual tools necessary to face challenges with confidence and integrity.