How to Benefit from Kissing
February 26, 2009 | In: Health, Relationship, Self Improvement
Kiss
What’s in a kiss? Have you ever wondered just what it is? So goes a song.
A kiss is a gesture of love to many of us. It’s something that evokes a nice feeling between the giver and the recipient. However, it could also be a sign of respect, greeting or farewell.
The word kiss is derived from the Old English term cyssan which means to kiss. In science, philematology is known as the study of kissing. To date, there’s no confirmation as to whether the act of kissing is something that’s learned or is an instinct. One thing’s for sure is that the gesture is not limited to humans because animals such as cats, dogs and birds have long been observed to do such act as well.
Literally, a kiss is done when a person’s lips touches another person’s lips or cheeks. However, there are now several variations to this sweet act. For acquaintances or between close friends, a reciprocal kiss is what usually takes place. This is done when greeting each other or when saying goodbye and normally involves just the touching of cheeks. Remember the term cheek to cheek? There’s also the peck or a kiss on the cheek or light kiss on the lips. A kiss on the forehead, meanwhile, is considered a motherly kiss such as when a mother comforts her child.
A smooch is another type of kiss between lovers that involves not only the caressing of the lips but the neck as well. And let’s not forget the most popular which is the French kiss that involve the intense pressing of lips and playing of tongues between two people deeply in love.
Kissing benefits people in a number of ways. Firstly, it’s a good exercise for the facial muscles. The act alone involves 34 facial muscles and 112 postural muscles. When done often, kissing can actually keep a person’s youthful appearance.
The gesture is a proven stress reliever, too. Since kissing involves touching of the lips, the body is bound to release the hormone oxytocin which has been found to calm the body. Psychologists even compare a kiss to meditation in that the act relieves anxiety and causes physiological changes similar to what a person experiences during meditation.
Other known benefits of a kiss that perhaps some of you still don’t know by now include a smoother skin, lower blood pressure as a result of a good blood circulation, lower cholesterol, less plaque and cavity resulting from a good flow of saliva, lower calorie count as three kisses each day lasting for 20 seconds can already make a person lose one pound.
We should thank the Romans for starting this act of kissing. They were the first to engage in kissing as a sign of hello when they see each other. It was also their custom to kiss the robes and rings of their leaders and kiss the statues of Roman gods as a sign of respect.
Because of its positive effects, kissing will always be a part of our lives. We should do it often to express our love, affection and respect especially for people we value the most. Never deprive yourself and your loved ones with your sweet kiss. It’s a positive gesture that should be initiated naturally.
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