The benefits of kissing

Ok, not to take all the gooey, mushy, romantic stuff out of why we love locking lips soooo much but did you know that there are real health benefits of doing it, too?

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Yep, this little pleasure does wonders for our bodies, both inside and out. These are just some of the reasons why you should plant one on the closest boy, like, now (just make sure you have kissable lips first)...

It burns calories

Well, kind of. You can’t replace your workout session with a mack-fest and expect to reap the same benefits (trust me, I’ve tried), but you can burn 8-16 calories in a minute. Wanna make out?

It reduces blood pressure and stress

Planting a smooch on someone is not just good for your emotional heart - it gives your anatomical one a workout, too. Kissing revs our heartbeat in a way that helps to lower blood pressure. On top of that, it also works hard to decrease cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase levels of serotonin (the happy hormone) in the brain. Not too shabby for a kiss, eh?

It relieves cramps and headaches

Remember when you were little, and your mum would kiss your ‘boo boo’ to make it better? Well, this might actually have some merit. You might not feel like a pash session while you’re dealing with painful menstrual cramps, but a little TLC actually goes a long way when it comes to pain relief. Kissing causes blood vessels to open wide and dilate, soothing pain or tension in the body.

It helps you bond

Whether you’re a PDA fan or not, locking lips promises to boost relationships. When we kiss, the brain releases oxytocin, popularly known as ‘the love hormone’, which is directly linked to feelings of intimacy. It’s the same hormone released when we give birth, orgasm and breastfeed. God damn, science is sexy.

It makes you happier

Even the quickest peck can trigger the release of endorphins - so pucker up, gorgeous. Research shows that kissing taps into the brain’s limbic system, unleashing fuzzy feel-good chemicals such as phenylethylamine (PEA). A natural amphetamine, it makes you feel euphoric - and ahh FYI, you can also get your hit from chocolate. 

It keeps you looking young

Kissing stimulates more than 30 facial muscles, helping to smooth out lines and wrinkles, tone cheek and jaw muscles, and boost circulation to the face, leaving you with a bright, youthful glow. Come here, boy.

It combats stress

Is work getting you down? Book an appointment with your significant other for a make-out session and feel the benefits. Kissing makes you breathe more deeply, allowing your body to relax - much like meditation.  

It’s good for your health

Believe it or not, sharing all that saliva is a good thing. Smooching improves immunity by releasing antibodies through a process called cross-immunotherapy. Come over here and give me a big wet one

It keeps your pearly whites, pearly white

Teeth looking pretty schmick? It’s probably all that kissing you’ve been doing. Though brushing your teeth on the reg is your best bet when it comes to maintaining pearly whites, puckering up does help to break down oral plaque and prevent cavities. The minerals in saliva help to rebuild tooth enamel, thereby preventing tooth decay. Forget apples - a kiss a day keeps the dentist away!  

Did you know about these health benefits of kissing?