- The kiss is the traditional way par excellence to show affection and appreciation between two people.
- It should not be confused with the Kiss Day that takes place every April 13, although in the end both dates have the same objective.
- From combating stress to burning calories are some of the advantages offered by this practice.
Health anniversaries were created to give visibility to certain diseases or illnesses. At the same time, there are also other dates that are not as widespread but maintain a strong relationship with the medical field. Such is the case of International Day of the Stolen Kiss that is commemorated every July 6 and at least when it is consensual, it offers various health benefits.
The origin of this celebration is unknown but since 2006 it has been celebrated in much of the world. Not to be confused with the kiss day which takes place every April 13, although in the end both dates have the same objective. Both seek to promote personal relationships and mutual affection.
all the positives
About the International Day of the Stolen Kiss we share 10 benefits that this practice brings to health.
- Increase your “happy hormones”. Kissing causes your brain to release feel-good chemicals by turning on the brain’s pleasure centers. These chemicals include oxytocindopamine and serotonin, which make you feel euphoric and promote feelings of affection and togetherness.
- It helps you bond with the other person. The rush of oxytocin released when you kiss triggers feelings of affection and attachment. Kissing your partner can enhance relationship satisfaction and be especially important in long-term relationships. It can also help you assess the suitability of a potential partner.
- It has an impact on your self-esteem. One study revealed that those who were unhappy with their physical appearance had higher levels of cortisol. Since kissing lowers cortisol levels, it can automatically improve your feelings of self-esteem.
- Relieves stress and reduces anxiety. The kiss and other affective communications, such as hugging and saying “I love you”, impact the physiological processes related to stress management, which includes how well you manage anxiety. There’s nothing like a kiss and a little affection to help calm you down.
- Dilates blood vessels. Kissing increases the heart rate in such a way that it dilates the blood vessels. This helps in a number of ways: it lowers blood pressure, it can help relieve period pain and even headaches, so the “dude tonight, my head hurts” is no longer an excuse.
- It can stimulate the immune system. Because by exchanging saliva you expose yourself to new germs that strengthen your immune system. In fact, one study found that couples who kiss frequently share the same microbiota in their saliva and on their tongues.
- Reduces allergic response. Kissing has been shown to provide significant relief from hives and other signs of allergic reaction associated with pollen and house dust mites. Stress also makes allergies worse, so “de-stress” kisses can reduce the allergic response.
- Improves total cholesterol. Research found that couples who increased the frequency of romantic kissing experienced an improvement in their total cholesterol. And keeping cholesterol under control reduces the risk of several conditions, including stroke and heart disease. This means that literally and metaphorically kissing is good for the heart!
- Tones facial muscles. Kissing can involve anywhere from 2 to 34 facial muscles. Using these muscles regularly acts like an exercise for your face and neck, firming them up. It can also increase collagen production, which contributes to firmer, younger-looking skin.
- Burn calories. You can burn between 2 and 26 calories per minute depending on how passionately you kiss, which is often more pleasurable than sweating it out in the gym.