Kissing under the mistletoe- five reasons why kissing is good for your health

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‘Tis the season to get the mistletoe out and get some serious smooching in with the love of your life! The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe descends from ancient customs of several different cultures. According to the Greeks, if a couple in love exchange a kiss under the mistletoe, it's seen as a promise to marry as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. For you more modern lovers, hanging a ball of mistletoe and having a quick smooch is seen as a sign of friendship and goodwill as well as warding of evil spirits - beware the bridezilla in you! But just case you need an excuse to catch your lover under the mistletoe (not that you will need any!), here are a few reasons why kissing is good for your health.

It relieves tension - kissing is a great relaxation technique.  According to Stress Consultant, Michelle Kay McNab, when you're giving your loved one a big smacker, your mouth is almost in a smile and as our body language and emotions are so closely linked, it's almost impossible to smile and feel stressed at the same time! Also as you succumb to the moment, your breathing becomes deeper and your eyes close, much the same as you do when you relax!

It helps you to lose weight! - a passionate kiss can burn up to 10 calories in 10 minutes.  The calories used depend on the intensity of the kiss and a good passionate snog makes the metabolism burn up sugar faster than usual. So get those lips ready for a good long session to burn off those extra calories ready to fit into that wedding dress! And just think how much more fun it will be instead of spending hours  pounding the treadmill at the gym!

It slows the aging process - kissing helps to tone your cheek and jaw muscles. According to Claire Potter, Cosmo's fitness consultant, kissing helps tone the muscles so they are less likely to sag so get kissing to retain those youthful looks as you and lover grow old together in blissful marital harmony.

Kissing boosts fitness levels - no more expensive gym subscriptions then!  Just get your beloved under the mistletoe for some serious tongue action! A good passionate session gets the heart pumping and the pulse racing. If your beloved is really getting you going, you release adrenaline into the blood stream according to Dr Susan Hotchkies.

And finally, the feel good factor. A good old smooch is the best way to feel happy. If you're kissing the one you love, then all is right with the world!!

So if the stress of organising the  perfect wedding is getting you down, get the mistletoe out and remind yourself why you fell in love in the first place whilst burning a few calories and making yourself even more beautiful into the bargain.

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