 Reference Site Map |
|
With a devastating downturn in the economy behind us, and Valentine's Day advancing upon us, I thought it might be useful to review something that we take for granted - the Kiss! The term "Kiss" can refer to a rock band, a disease, a chocolate or a common human behavior, but one thing is for sure, it deserves a lot of attention and respect. If performed vigorously with enthusiasm, kissing can burn calories and exercise a myriad of face muscles, helping to tone your complexion. But those who kiss shyly, or in a coy and gentle manner may experience other benefits. Kissing has been shown to improve blood pressure and your cardiovascular status. The levels of circulating glucocorticoids seem to drop after a kiss, while levels of oxytocin can increase. News bulletin to men: this takes much longer to occur for the gals, and is through no fault of their own, but may be mother nature's idea of an insurance policy against bluffing. Plainly speaking, kissing relaxes us, reduces stress and even produces euphoria and sexual interest. This may not be news to some, but is worth a reminder to others.
Kissing invades our personal space, and brings two people in close physical proximity. This allows other senses of tactile touch, sight and smell to enter the equation and trigger those deeper parts of the brain to come alive and release neural messengers to warm up the engine for what might come next. It is thought that the close proximity may allow exchange of silent airborne messengers called pheromones, in addition to the more obvious exchange of saliva and the occasional bug. Our lips contain a thin layer of skin brimming with nerve endings, as do the tip of the tongue and a portion of the gums. Look after those lips; keep them moist and free of chaff. You can’t help but enjoy a good kiss.
Kissing is quite unique to humans, but similar types of behavior are seen in chimpanzees and other primates. When you stop to consider how much information can be exchanged without a spoken word during a kiss, it may be conceivable to believe that it evolved to help humans form bonds and relationships. You don’t need to love somebody to kiss them. Kissing comes in many forms. The greeting peck on the cheek, the blown air kiss, the “bye mom” type peck on the lips, all the way to the more serious use of saliva and probing oral anatomy, descriptions of which are published elsewhere. Suffice it to say, the more you put into it the more health benefits will come out of it.
By observing our mammalian cousins, it becomes apparent that kissing is not required for sexual reproduction. On the other hand, it seems that we humans, with our lip-smacking ability, are the ones overpopulating the planet. I think we need a campaign to “kiss for good health”, do it often and with vigor.It costs nothing, goes fine with alcohol and most non-spicy foods. So pucker up for your health, and start your Valentine's Day with a healthy dose of natural goodness!
Related resources:
