By Dr Tan Huey Jing, Consultant Psychiatrist and Executive Director, Sanctuary Wellness

There comes a stage in life when you notice yourself doing things you never used to do. For me, one of those moments was taking a photograph of my parking spot—not because the parking bay was interesting, but because I knew I might otherwise spend several minutes looking for my car later.

It made me wonder: is this a normal response to a busy life, a sign of poor sleep and mental overload, or what people often call “brain fog”?

What People Mean by Brain Fog

Brain fog is not a medical diagnosis. It is an informal term used to describe feeling mentally cloudy, forgetful, slower in thinking or less able to focus.

There are many possible contributors. Poor sleep, stress, fatigue, illness, medication effects, nutritional problems and changes in metabolic or hormonal health can all affect mental clarity. Sometimes the explanation is simply that we are trying to hold too much information in our minds at once.

Taking a photo of a parking location, using a calendar or setting reminders can be sensible ways to reduce this mental load. These habits do not automatically mean that something is wrong.

Everyday Forgetfulness Versus a Concerning Change

Occasionally forgetting why you entered a room, taking longer to recall a name or misplacing an item can happen to people of different ages. What matters is whether there has been a clear change from your usual ability and whether it is becoming more frequent or affecting daily life.

Medical assessment is important when memory or thinking problems are persistent, worsening or accompanied by difficulties such as getting lost in familiar places, struggling with routine tasks, repeating the same questions, marked changes in judgement or unusual confusion.

Sudden confusion, weakness, speech difficulty, severe headache or other sudden neurological symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Longevity Also Includes Brain Health

When people hear the word “longevity”, they may think mainly about living longer or maintaining a youthful appearance. Yet a longer life is most meaningful when we can remain mentally engaged, physically capable and connected to the people around us.

Healthy ageing includes protecting the abilities that allow us to communicate, make decisions, learn, work and enjoy relationships. This is why cognitive and emotional wellbeing should be part of any responsible longevity conversation.

The foundations remain familiar: regular physical activity, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, meaningful social contact, stress management, mental stimulation and appropriate management of medical risk factors. These habits may not sound dramatic, but they are central to long-term brain and body health.

Where Wellness Therapies May Fit

There is growing interest in technologies and wellness modalities that aim to support recovery, relaxation, circulation or general wellbeing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, photobiomodulation and other approaches are sometimes discussed in the wider longevity field.

These services should not be presented as a cure for brain fog or ordinary forgetfulness. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has established medical uses for specific conditions, while research into other applications continues. Suitability depends on the individual, the equipment, the treatment protocol and appropriate professional assessment.

At Sanctuary Wellness, any such modality should be considered as one possible component of a broader, personalised wellness plan—not as a substitute for medical evaluation, sleep, movement, nutrition or mental health care.

Small Habits Can Be Useful Signals

The photograph of a parking spot is not, by itself, a reason to fear cognitive decline. It may simply be a practical response to a full day. Still, moments like this can prompt us to pay closer attention to how we are functioning.

Are we sleeping well? Are we moving regularly? Are stress and responsibilities leaving enough room for recovery? Have there been changes in our health, medication or mood? Do we still feel confident managing daily tasks?

These questions are often more helpful than assuming that every lapse is “just ageing” or, at the other extreme, fearing that every forgotten name signals something serious.

Ageing Gracefully Does Not Mean Ignoring Change

Healthy ageing does not mean pretending that nothing changes. Our bodies, energy levels and priorities evolve. The goal is to notice meaningful changes, seek help when needed and continue supporting the abilities that matter most.

So yes, I may continue photographing where I park. I now see it as a practical habit—and a gentle reminder to care for my brain with the same intention I give to the rest of my health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is forgetting where I parked a sign of dementia?

Not necessarily. An occasional lapse can happen because of distraction, fatigue or stress. Seek medical advice when memory changes are persistent, worsening or interfering with familiar daily activities.

Is brain fog a medical diagnosis?

No. Brain fog is a general description of symptoms such as poor concentration, forgetfulness or slower thinking. A clinician can help assess possible causes when symptoms continue.

Can a wellness treatment cure brain fog?

There is no single wellness treatment that addresses every cause of brain fog. The appropriate response depends on the underlying factors and may include medical assessment, sleep support, physical activity, stress management or other care.