Laugh, Even If You’re Crying in the Bathroom Later

Cartoon owl laughing with eyes closed, hand covering beak. Text above reads: Caregiver Laugh Lab. Sketchy style with light colors.

When Everything Goes Wrong... and You Laugh Anyway

Sometimes in caregiving, something unexpected happens.

Right in the middle of spilled coffee, forgotten meds, or yet another day on repeat—you laugh.

Not because it’s funny. Not because it’s easy. But because your body and heart need a break.

For caregivers supporting loved ones with dementia at home, moments of levity can offer rare and essential relief from burnout.

In dementia care, humor isn’t a luxury.

It’s a way of surviving with yourself intact.

💬 Real-Life Humor in Dementia Care

“I was trying to get my dad ready for a doctor’s appointment. I’d laid out his clothes, warmed up his coffee, and was moving at full speed. When I came back in the room, he was wearing his sweater as pants and holding a fork like a microphone. He looked me straight in the face and said, ‘Do I look ready for my close-up?’ I just lost it. Full belly laugh. I sat down right there on the floor. It didn’t fix anything—but it gave me a moment of breath.”

These moments don’t erase caregiver stress. But they let light in around the edges—and they matter.

🧠 Why Humor Helps

Humor can change your body chemistry—reducing stress, lifting mood, and improving connection with your loved one.Even a quick laugh can help you feel more present, patient, and like yourself again.

Laughter isn’t separate from the work. It’s part of the way you survive it.

Weekly Activity: “Name the Episode”

Try this lighthearted exercise to reframe a moment from your week:

Think of something that went sideways—but didn’t break you.
Give it a sitcom-style title.
- “The Coffee That Got Reheated Four Times”
- “The Sock Debate of 2025”
- “The Remote Is in the Fridge Again”
Write it down. Or better—share it in the blog comments so other caregivers can laugh (and relate).

💬 Final Thought

You’re not laughing because caregiving is easy. You’re laughing because you’re still alive inside the hard. That’s something to protect.

Even joy in small, sideways moments is still joy. And you deserve all of it.

“A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”

—Laura Ingalls Wilder

🗓️ Next Post:

Why You’re Not Failing—The System Is- Next time, we’ll shift the lens from self-blame to clarity. You’ve been carrying more than most people see—and the weight you feel isn’t proof of failure. It’s a sign that the system wasn’t built for what you’re doing. We’ll explore how to release guilt, refocus your energy, and find direction in the middle of the mess.