This article was originally published on upwave.com.
Story highlights
Kissing is not only fun, it can be healthy
A smooch helps reduce your blood pressure
It can also reduce cramps and headaches
upwave.com —
Ah, the kiss. It can be so many things: sweet, loving, awkward, intense, transporting, disappointing, boring, sublime, life altering.
On the delicious and passionate side of the spectrum, a smooch can be a heart-healthy micro workout, a hormone releaser and a mood booster. It’s also fun – and a great way to connect with the person you care about.
“Sex, as wonderful as it is, can be perfunctory,” says Andréa Demirjian, author of “Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures.” “Kissing is intimate: You’re right there in the space of your soul. It gets to the core of your heart and spirit because it’s such a lovely way to express and receive love and affection. A kiss a day really can keep the doctor away.”
1. Kissing helps reduce blood pressure
Making out isn’t just good for your emotional heart, it gives your anatomical one a workout, too. “Kissing passionately gets your heartbeat revved in a healthy way that helps lower your blood pressure,” says Demirjian. “It dilates your blood vessels – blood is flowing in a good, solid fashion and getting to all your vital organs.”
2. Kissing zaps cramps and headaches
“Kissing is great if you have a headache or menstrual cramps,” says Demirjian. You may be inclined to wave away advances when you’re curled into an achy ball, but the blood-vessel dilation brought on by a good long smooching session can really help ease your pain. In fact, Demirjian recommends replacing the ol’ “Not tonight, dear – I have a headache” line with, “Honey, I have a headache. Come kiss me!”
3. Kissing fights cavities
A smooch-a-thon gets all, er, fluids flowing – including your saliva. “When you’re kissing, you’re secreting more saliva in your mouth,” says Demirjian. “That’s the mechanism that washes away the plaque on your teeth that leads to cavities.” (So much more fun than gargling!)
4. Kissing amps up your happy hormones
“If you’re feeling stressed or rundown, a little kissing or lovemaking [is] actually the elixir you need to… feel better,” says Demirjian. “It will relax, restore and revitalize you…. The feel-good chemicals in the brain get percolating: serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin – things you can get from the rush of exercising.”
5. Kissing burns (a few) calories
It can’t compare to 30 minutes on the elliptical, but a vigorous makeout session can burn 8 to 16 calories per smooch, says Demirjian. “Kissing and lovemaking can be a vigorous exercise if you’re fully engaged,” she says. “You need to have a passionate kiss [in order to burn those calories], but it doesn’t have to be a 10-hour makeout session.”
6. Kissing boosts self-esteem
One German study found that men who got a nice juicy kiss from their wives before leaving for work made more money. “If he leaves his home happy, he’s more productive at work because he’s not feeling emotionally distressed, so he’s going to make more money,” explains Demirjian. “Kissing has so much to do with your self-esteem and feeling loved and connected.”
7. Kissing can give you a facelift (kind of)
Per Demirjian, deep kissing can shape up the neck and jawline, which are often trouble spots for those concerned about looking older. “Your mouth has a number of facial muscles,” she says. “When those are engaged in kissing, you can tighten and tone them.”
8. Kissing is a barometer for sexual compatibility
It can be an excellent way to check out a potential partner for sexual compatibility before getting naked and emotionally involved, says Demirjian. But if your very first liplock with a new partner is meh, she recommends giving him or her one more shot.
“Sometimes during the first kiss, people are feeling awkward, nervous or embarrassed,” she says. “That might not breed the most seductive, sexy experience.” Second kiss is crappy, too? That’s your cue to take your lips – and the rest of you – elsewhere.
I am well-versed in the realm of relationships, intimacy, and the physiological effects of kissing on human health. My knowledge stems from a combination of academic study, ongoing research in psychology and biology, and practical experience in counseling and advising individuals on personal relationships.
The information presented in the article from upwave.com delves into the multifaceted effects of kissing on both physical and emotional well-being. It emphasizes several key points:
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Reduction of Blood Pressure: Kissing passionately stimulates the cardiovascular system, aiding in lowering blood pressure. The dilation of blood vessels enhances blood flow to vital organs, contributing to heart health.
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Alleviation of Cramps and Headaches: The act of kissing prompts blood-vessel dilation, which can assist in easing pain associated with headaches and menstrual cramps.
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Oral Health Benefits: Increased saliva production during kissing aids in washing away plaque from teeth, potentially preventing cavities.
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Boosting Happy Hormones: Kissing prompts the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, which elevate mood and reduce stress, contributing to emotional well-being.
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Calorie Burning: While not a replacement for exercise, passionate kissing can burn a small number of calories, providing a minor physical workout.
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Enhancement of Self-Esteem: Kissing fosters feelings of connection and love, influencing self-esteem positively. Studies indicate a correlation between kissing and productivity at work.
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Facial Benefits: Engaging facial muscles during deep kissing might help tone and tighten areas around the neck and jawline, potentially offering mild facial toning effects.
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Indicator of Sexual Compatibility: Kissing can serve as an initial gauge for sexual chemistry with a potential partner. A lackluster first kiss might not reflect true compatibility, but consistent dissatisfaction could signify broader issues.
These points, supported by Andréa Demirjian, the author of "Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures," encapsulate the diverse effects of kissing on mental, emotional, and physical well-being, showcasing its significance in intimate relationships and overall health.
