6 Reasons Why Kissing Is Good For You

Why is kissing so great?

Because her lips are so soft and she smells so good and it just makes me warm and fuzzy, you may say.

Well, that may be true. But besides that adorable sentiment, there is research that may explain why smooching is just so wonderful. A good kiss can be intoxicating and dizzying, leaving you feeling weak in the knees—and that’s not all in your head, either. Your body physiologically reacts quite favorably to a good kiss.

In fact, there are even health benefits of kissing. If you want to treat your body right, go put on some Chapstick, pop a mint, and pucker up. That’s right, I’m giving you scientific excuses to go make out, because making out with that special someone is not only good for your soul, but your body as well.

Why Kissing is Good For You

1. Decreases stress levels

Is the daily grind making you feel crazy? When you’re feeling on edge, I’ve got a solution for you: grab your partner and give them a peck…or two…or three. Research says that kissing lowers stress levels and can help you feel at ease. It’s thought that the reason for this is that kissing increases levels of oxytocin and endorphins in the body, helping you feel relaxed and stress-free.

2. Lowers pain

You know those lovely endorphins I just mentioned? Those also are powerful pain relievers, so when you kiss, your pain tolerance may increase. So next time you have a headache, don’t reach for the Advil—reach for his lips. (…with your lips. Am I painting a good picture here?)

3. Kissing makes you happy

You may think you’re feeling happy because that special someone just gave you a mind-blowing kiss, but there’s science behind that one, too! The oxytocin and endorphins that are released when you kiss are sometimes referred to as “happy chemicals” and can put you in a good mood, according to the book Meet Your Happy Chemicals by Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD.

Related: 4 Easy Steps to Happiness

4. Boosts the immune system

Forget that apple—a kiss a day may keep the doctor away. According to a study published in the journal Medical Hypotheses, kissing can keep illnesses away, such as Cytomegalovirus in women, which can cause serious birth defects in children of carriers. Kissing may raise immunity to prevent this illness and possibly other illnesses. (By the way, we were just kidding with that first claim—eat those apples, folks.)

 5. Good exercise (really!)

A good make-out session leaves you breathless for several reasons. That’s right: you can burn between 90 – 120 calories per hour with some vigorous kissing. If you’re feeling guilty about that cookie you just ate, grab your partner and smooch away. That being said, don’t let that be an excuse to skip your daily workouts—but hey, every little bit helps!

Related: How to Get in Shape in 5 Simple Steps

 6. Healthier relationships

If you’re in a committed relationship, how much do you kiss your partner? The more you kiss, the stronger your relationship, according to Oxford University researchers. Research shows that more frequent kissing in a relationship is linked to a higher quality relationship, and thus, a healthier life. So go ahead and kiss her, you fool!

Related: Laughing is Good For You…Here’s Why

The Takeaway

We all love a good kiss, but not just because it feels nice. In fact, it feels nice because it’s good for our body. Thanks to the chemicals kissing gives off, it can decrease stress levels, relieve pain, and make you happier. Kissing can even boost your immune system, burn calories, and make for healthier relationships. So go ahead; I gave you enough excuses—grab that special someone and kiss away!

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Sammy Nickalls is the Content Manager at Inspiyr.com. She is an avid health nut and a lover of all things avocado.

Photo by CourtneyCarmody