Paging Dr Clown...

Smiles and yawns are the most contagious things going around that we don’t mind catching. If the Clown Doctors have anything to do with it, no child will be leaving the Sydney Children’s Hospital this year without catching at least one smile. Last week, there was a veritable epidemic of smiles at the hospital when the Humour Foundation sent in a craic team of Clown MDs to inject an ample dose of laughter to the patients on the sixth annual National Smile Day.

The positive health benefits of laughter have long been recognised, but only in recent years have they been supported by science. Medical research has now shown that laughing has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory system similar to exercise. It relaxes the muscles, reduces pain and stress, boosts the immune system and helps promote positivity and longevity.

The Humour Foundation was founded by Australian performer, John-Paul Bell and GP Dr Peter Spitzer as a charity with the aim of promoting the health benefits of humour (just like US physician Patch Adams). Bell is careful to point out that, “laughter is important for everyone,” not just sick children.

“Laughter helps kids and adults to relax and adjust to the [hospital] environment,” he explains. “The Clown Doctors are great at distracting children who are undergoing painful procedures, but they are also good for the parents… sometimes it’s the parents who really need to be distracted”.

And distracted they were on National Smile Day, the Humour Foundation’s main fundraiser and promotional day for the Clown Doctors who put on a hilarious show in the foyer of the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Their prescription is a double dose of smiles and giggles, followed by some “clown rounds” – stat!

To find out more about Clown Doctors visit www.humourfoundation.com.au

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