When I was a little 9 year old my parents took their ‘2nd honeymoon’ in their newly purchased car. They farmed out all four children to different families for the week. I went with the Fords - very nice people but I didn’t know them very well. Mrs. Ford was a bridesmaid in my parents’ wedding and I’d only seen her a few times. She had a daughter my age and we stayed at their beach house, and my parents thought it would be a good fit. The problem was the Fords were rather dark skinned and had no idea that a blonde blue eyed child could sunburn as quickly as I did. They felt terrible, and I did too. I hurt and I missed my parents.
But something strange happened when my parents came home from their trip. They came in the door of the cottage and I literally ran into the arms. It surprised everyone as I was barely walking since I got sunburned. Something changed in my head and my body. My endorphins woke up and took the pain away.
what are endorphins?
by definition: any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.
what do they do when they are activated? They relax you and when you are relaxed you are much less aware of pain. Pain sensors literally quiet down.
Endorphins can be boosted by exercising, eating, having sex, getting a massage and many other ways.