11 Reasons Just Making Out Is Sometimes Better Than Having Sex

It’s not all about penetration, ladies. Sometimes we like a little kissing, a little foreplay, or some intimacy without full-blown sex. Don’t get me wrong. Sex is exciting and fulfilling in its own way. However, sometimes getting back to basics and just spending ages with your tongues down each other’s throats is the best thing you can do with a guy. Here’s why making out is so underrated.

  1. It’s mess-free. Save for a little lipstick smudge here and there, making out is pretty mess-free. We’re busy people — sometimes we don’t have time to get sweaty when we’re trying to make it to work on time. Of course, if you’re with a sloppy kisser, things can get pretty gross pretty quickly. In that case, help him brush up on his lip-locking skills so he can keep his saliva to himself.
  2. It can prevent cavities. Swapping spit isn’t actually as gross as it sounds. The Academy of General Dentistry says that extra saliva moving around in a make-out session can build up tooth enamel and rinse bacteria. Weird, but great. If you want to keep your pearly whites in top shape, this is great.
  3. It’s safe. OK, it’s not totally safe (mono is a real bummer), but as far as swapping bodily fluids goes, making out is definitely the safest option. No pregnancy scares today! There’s very little risk that comes with making out in comparison to full-blown sex, that’s for sure.
  4. It burns a few calories. Making out isn’t going to replace any workouts, but it can help stimulate your appetite for taco Tuesday. Each minute of serious kissing can burn up to five calories, which means an hour of making out should burn enough calories for that margarita. Those are also the ingredients for an awesome date.
  5. It makes you feel young again. Making out is fun in that “sneaking out of your parents’ house on a summer night” type of way. Embrace the part of it that used to be new and exciting to keep those butterflies churning and a spring in your step. Just because we’re all grown up with more responsibilities and stress than we’d like to have, doesn’t mean that we can’t still feel like kids again. Making out is a great way to harken back to the excitement of your youth.
  6. It’s acceptable to do with (almost) anyone. No one has ever been stigmatized just for kissing. Perhaps a few people out there have been dubbed “make-out bandits,” but that’s pretty fair as far as nicknames go. Making out is pretty acceptable for first dates and random bar encounters alike. You don’t need to be in a committed relationship to do it, either. You can just pucker up with a hottie and go for gold.
  7. It’s a great way to determine chemistry. While sexual chemistry isn’t the be-all, end-all of a relationship, it’s certainly a big thing. Making out with someone is really helpful when it comes to figuring out if you have that intangible bond that either exists or doesn’t. The more time you spend kissing, the more you learn about how your bodies work together, which is a pretty good indicator of physical compatibility.
  8. It strengthens your immune system. You’d think that kissing would spread colds, but actually making out might be able to reduce your chances of getting a cold altogether. In ten seconds of making out, you pass 80 million bacteria back and forth. But, getting introduced to it in small amounts helps you build up immunity in case you’re exposed to it again later. Kissing also reduces your chances of having allergic reactions. Best medicine there is? Sounds like it.
  9. It’s mobile. Making out is the perfect naughty activity for locations where other stuff won’t fly. Make out in the movie theater, make out in the car on the way to brunch with your parents, and make out on your lunch break. All the necessary tools are right there with you. And, while PDA can make many people uncomfortable, especially when it’s excessive, you don’t even need to find a private place to do it. Just be sure to be considerate of the people around you.
  10. It relieves stress. One study done at Arizona State University asked its participants to make kissing a high priority over a set period of time and tested their stress levels in comparison to a control group. (Where do we sign up for stuff like this?) After the six-week period, it became clear that the kissing couples were not only closer emotionally, but were less stressed out overall. Some go so far as to say that making out can be comparable to meditating in the relieving anxiety department and getting you focused on the present. Namaste.
  11. It’s great for bonding. Making out with someone you like releases oxytocin, which makes us feel good and connected to the person we’re kissing. Next time you and your man du jour hit a dull point in the conversation, making out is always a reasonable alternative. We can’t be master conversationalists all the time.
  12. It makes you feel better about yourself. While your sense of self-worth should never depend on someone else, there’s no denying that making out has a serious effect on your self-esteem. A 2016 study found that people who had low self-esteem also had high cortisol levels. Kissing reduces cortisol. See the connection?
  13. It’s hot. We kiss for a reason. That’s because it’s intimate and it turns us on. Nothing will leave you both wanting more like steaming things up with a hearty make-out session. Face it, there’s nothing else that leaves your head spinning quite like a really great kiss.
Kate Ferguson is a Los Angeles local and freelance writer for a variety of blog and magazine genres. When she's not writing, the UC Davis graduate is focused on pursuits of the entertainment industry, spin class, and hot sauce. Look for article links, updates, (and the occasional joke) on Twitter @KateFerg or @WriterKateFerg, or check out her personal blog ThatsRandomKate.blogspot.com
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