Remember your first real kiss? Then the first with someone you truly loved? For many people, memories of specific kisses are precious, helping to chronicle their lives. Amazing and special kisses should not be relegated to the past, however, as kissing is actually better for you than you might think. In addition to the natural thrill of smooching someone you love or find attractive, the act itself has many surprising health benefits.
Stress Relief
Take a moment to think about the last time you kissed someone good and proper. The feelings of relaxation and happiness that you felt are not tied solely to your mental reaction to the kiss, but are responses to a biological reaction to the act of kissing itself. When you kiss someone your levels of the stress hormone cortisol are reduced, which is why you experience a sense of calm after the fact. This could be an important step towards managing your stress. Kiss more and feel better.
Better Sleep
Sleep is a precious commodity in today’s world and it is very evident that most people don’t get enough quality sleep to remain as healthy as they like. In order to combat this, many people invest in a wide variety of sleeping aides, from relaxation CDs to expensive beds.
It seems many people may have missed the boat with this, however, as one of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to spend some time kissing before bed. Kissing can release endorphins that help combat the stresses of daily life and effectively helps to ‘shut off’ the brain from external worries.
So, all people should be thinking about their health before they go to sleep, remembering to snuggle over in their king size adjustable beds and kiss their lovers goodnight. As well as simply being a lovely way to end the day, the benefits could be much more than you bargained for.
Healthier Teeth
Unsurprisingly, kissing increases the production of saliva, which can help to make teeth healthier. The increased fluid helps to wash harmful bacteria off the teeth, which in turn can help to prevent plaque build up. Good teeth are an attractive quality, so use your attractions to help keep them in good shape.
Calorie Burning
Kissing can be a little bit of a workout itself as you will use a variety of facial muscles that otherwise are neglected. So, it’s true that kissing may not burn as many calories as, say, running several miles, but the act is more energetic than you might think. According to some, smooching can burn between two and six calories per minute, so you may justifiably eschew another task for some quality kissing.
Boosts Immunity
Keeping your immune system functioning well is a high priority for many people, but boosting it with vitamins and avoiding germs are not the only steps you need to take to help improve it. It is very important that you are subjected to a variety of germs and bacteria throughout your life in order to ensure that your system has time to gradually build immunity.
During a kiss you exchange small amounts of bacteria with your partner, which can help your immune system to identify and begin protecting you against new bugs. Visibly ill and diagnosed individuals are probably best avoided, but swapping immunities as you swap saliva can help protect you down the road.
Zoe is a freelance writer and professional blogger who is currently writing articles on health and sleep for Archers Sleep Centre.
