Endorphins are molecules produced naturally by our bodies that give us a feeling of well being or pleasure. They are known as “natural pain relievers” and are responsible for the “second wind” or the feeling when we’re exercising that we could go on forever. A rush of endorphins is also the reason that sometimes we do not feel the full impact of the pain immediately after an injury. Acupuncture is an industry that taps into these natural pain relievers; Endorphins are so strong that instances have been recorded where surgery has been performed without anaesthetic, completely relying on acupuncture to stimulate a rush of endorphins to relieve the pain! 

There is a wonderful and complex connection between our immune system and our central nervous system or CNS (brain and spinal cord), a topic that is still of great interest to the scientific research community today. What we do know is that the immune system and central nervous system (CNS) “speak the same language.” What I mean by this is that messengers of the CNS (such as neuropeptides) can also be produced and read by the immune system. And messengers of the immune system (such as cytokines) can be produced by the CNS. 

B-cells, T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells are just a few of the types of cells that make up our immune system, and these immune cells have very high numbers of endorphin receptors. So, what am I getting at? Well endorphins, these naturally produced feel-good chemicals, fuel our immune system. So feeling good about life and having a positive attitude is actually boosting your immune system and helping you keep healthy! 

So what can you do to naturally boost your child’s endorphin levels? Whilst acupuncture and chocolate work (yes, chocolate! It has a chemical called L-phenylalanine which delays the breakdown of endorphins…but it doesn’t last forever as you all well know and it’s not long before you need more!), the best thing you can encourage is high intensity exercise. 

The type of exercise your child does should be age appropriate and here are just a few ideas 

• For newborns in the first few months of life lying on their back for a few minutes after a feed and stretching their legs and arms is really all they need
• As they get older your six month old will be awake for a little longer and might spend time on his stomach developing his arm and neck muscles
• At 12 months your toddler will most likely be following you around on her own two feet
• At 2 years playing in the park, tumbling with the family dog or running around with siblings
• 3 and up your imagination is the limit! Push bike riding, swimming lessons, dancing, family soccer and cricket games on the beach 

Exercise is great for your children, it not only builds muscle and coordination but releases endorphins which make them feel happy and builds up their immune system. And it won’t do any harm to get in there and puff and pant (and have fun!) with them yourself.