Kisses sweeter than wine

RECENTLY, everywhere I go, it seems there are holidaying couples arguing.

Research shows that almost 40 per cent of couples have a row on holiday, with 5 per cent arguing within minutes of arriving at their destination!

After all that time saving and looking forward to your holiday, what is it that makes us argue when we do finally get there?

The intense heat of late has got to be a factor after all, being too hot can make us irritable at the best of times.

Add to that the lure of cheap alcohol and you’re well on your way to troubled times ahead. Another fuel to add to the fire is when one half of the couple spends most of the holiday flirting with the waiter/waitress and checking out the hot bods on the beach.

Whatever the reason, today (Thursday) is International Kissing Day so get ready to pucker up instead of pouting after I convince you that kissing is important for all of us.

Kissing can actually prolong life!

Studies have shown that men who kiss their partners goodbye before leaving for work, live up to five years longer than those who don’t. The theory is that they’re more relaxed and less likely to suffer from stress-related problems and car accidents.

If you can’t afford Botox (or you just don’t want to look constantly startled), kissing is a great facial workout. One kiss requires the coordination of 34 facial muscles!

The muscle you use to pucker your lips is called the ‘orbicularis oris’ (the same one responsible for pulling off the dreaded duckface so popular in selfies).

If that’s not enough for you, kissing burns calories, boosts the immune system, relieves aches and pains and also prevents cavities. Kissing releases endorphins and oxytocin.

A passionate kiss will leave you feeling happy, positive and less stressed. If that’s still not enough to convince you to find your significant other for a quick snog, kissing can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Research has shown that kissing reduces cortisol, a hormone linked to weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Although diet and exercise are the best means of combating these conditions, it can’t hurt to add a spot of tonsil tennis to your daily health regime.

Smooching can strengthen our relationship and promote togetherness. The honeymoon period doesn’t last forever but there’s few things better than when you can feel your partner smiling as you kiss them.

So, now you can see how underrated kissing is and how many benefits there are, both physically and mentally, I hope to see a lot more of you out there indulging in pda’s not gbh!

Until next week, besos xox

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