Are you currently dating someone and want to take the first step, but don’t know how to go about that first kiss? We’ll give you tips for the first kiss and show you what happens in our bodies during a kiss.

Most of us remember our first kiss very clearly. The butterflies fluttering wildly in our stomachs, the pleasant warmth rising through our bodies. A lot happens to us when we kiss—especially if it’s the first kiss. But when is the right time for the first kiss? Can you tell while kissing if it’s a good fit? And how should I go about the first kiss? We have the answers to all your questions.

Why do we actually kiss?

A kiss can have various intentions. On the one hand, a kiss can be an expression of love and affection. On the other hand, kissing is often also part of other physical intimacies.

Both the tongue and the lips contain the largest number of sensory cells. These so-called sensory receptors are what make kissing feel so good.

Why kissing is so important

When kissing, up to 34 different facial muscles are used simultaneously. Furthermore, our bodies are flooded with endorphins. A hormone cocktail containing oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins, adrenaline, and dopamine creates butterflies in the stomach and a feeling of happiness.

Is kissing healthy?

The hormone cocktail causes your heart rate to rise and your body temperature to skyrocket. Your metabolism and blood circulation are boosted. Kissing triggers positive stress in our bodies.

Did you know?

How long do people kiss in their lifetime? According to a study, we spend around 76 days of our entire lives kissing.

Can you tell when you kiss whether it’s a good fit?

“It’s very difficult to judge whether it’s a good fit or not on the first kiss,” says Dania Schiftan. Kissing is a matter of practice. If you don’t like something about kissing with your partner, you should be able to talk about it. “There are people who have a natural talent for it. However, there is one basic rule of kissing: take your time and go slowly.”

How should you kiss for the first kiss?

Whether with tongue or without, with a man or a woman – you alone decide what your first kiss will look like. There’s no right or wrong. If you don’t like the kiss, you can end it, show your partner your boundaries  , and discuss your personal wishes.

Can I practice kissing alone?

Dania Schiftan says you can learn to kiss. To see if your kissing skills feel comfortable, you should kiss your own arm. This will at least give you an idea of ​​what your own kissing feels like.

When do you kiss another person?

The reasons for kissing another person can vary greatly. Our expert Dania Schiftan says: “The reason you kiss another person plays a much smaller role than consent. Ultimately, a kiss is simply a kiss—nothing more, nothing less. Ask your partner if they’re ready for the first kiss. The timing doesn’t matter—it could be asked after 10 minutes or after the eighth meeting.”

In her job, Schiftan repeatedly hears that asking takes the romance out of kissing, but that’s not the case: “A requested kiss can very well be romantic.” Then you know for sure that the kiss is reciprocal.

After the first kiss: What happens next?

When we kiss, our lips simply touch. Nothing more actually happens. “A kiss doesn’t promise anything,” says Schiftan. Furthermore, you don’t owe the other person anything because of a kiss. “If you want to know more about your kissing partner, you should simply ask,” Schiftan continues.