“Smile cures” is not just a metaphor. It’s a medical fact: positive emotions have an impact on our health. Research in this area has been carried out by the Scientific Research Fund, studying the work of clown doctors for more than a decade. In this article, we’ll explore the connection of science and smiling and the impact of positive emotions on our health. Let’s dive into the research that supports the effectiveness of smiling and positivity on health.
The Health Benefits of Smiling and Positive Emotions
Boost of the Immune System
Positive emotions, such as laughter and smiling, have been linked to a stronger immune system. Studies have shown that laughter can increase the production of antibodies, which help to protect the body against infections and diseases. In addition, scientific research demonstrated that healthcare clowning program significantly reduced the incidence of infections in pediatric patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37058203
Lowering the Stress Levels
Smiling and laughter can help to reduce stress by triggering the release of endorphins — the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These endorphins counteract the effects of stress hormones like cortisol, helping to lower blood pressure and heart rate. The study on healthcare clowning found that it reduced anxiety and stress levels in both patients and medical staff, leading to a more relaxed and positive environment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928740
Alleviating the Pain
Laughter and positive emotions reduce the pain by releasing endorphins that act as natural painkillers. In the study, patients who interacted with healthcare clowns experienced a significant decrease in pain levels compared to a control group. This suggests that incorporating humor and positivity into medical care can have tangible benefits for patients dealing with pain.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6769359
Enhancing Emotional Well-being
Smiling can brighten someone’s day, but it also has a positive impact on emotional well-being. Research showed that positive emotions can help to improve the mood and overall mental health. Healthcare clowning program increases patients’ sense of hope, happiness, and emotional resilience, making their hospital stay more pleasant and supportive.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9943748
Promoting Social Connection
Smiling and laughter are contagious, fostering a sense of connection and empathy between people. Positive emotions can help to break down barriers and create a more supportive environment. Healthcare clowning program has shown that the presence of clowns in hospitals leads to better communication, teamwork, and overall satisfaction among both patients and medical staff.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10497323221139781
The power of a smile and positive emotions should not be underestimated. Scientific evidence shows that they can boost the immune system, lower stress levels, alleviate pain, enhance emotional well-being and promote social connection.
Healthcare clowning organizations are paving the way in demonstrating the effectiveness of incorporating humor and positivity into healthcare settings with tangible benefits for both patients and staff. So, next time you’re feeling down, remember that a simple smile can make a huge difference in your health and well-being.
All the data provided in this article is studied by the Dream Doctors’ Scientific Research Fund. The Fund was established to provide grants each year for research on healthcare clowning. To date, this fund has supported over 42 research studies on various topics in the field of medical clowning and presented at international conferences; 24 have been published in scientific journals.
Healthcare clowning can help to take care of emotions of sick children — that is a special kind of support for children in hospital. Through games, humor and improvisation, Clowndoctors help young patients to cope with stress and recover more quickly. They can do it more often with your support.
