In control

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday April 10, 2023 06:00

Once the capital of a global empire, it now whispered subtle allusions to its past glory. It was in the effortless style of its residents on display in the bustling streets, the aroma that hinted of a sprawling, cultivated culinary history.

The sun reflected in his Dolce & Gabbana DG2027B sunglasses as it descended from its lofty perch, steadily retreating to the horizon. Style has a steep price as these $383,609 shades demonstrated.

The rest of his outfit did not disappoint. The subtle D&G labels on his skinny black jeans, cream linen shirt and black loafers required no second guess as to who his favourite designers were. With a Patel Philippe Grand Complication 5160, he paid tribute to the legendary Swiss watchmakers. He was a man in control of his destiny.

Out of the corner of his eye he sensed something familiar. He turned and a subtle smile delicately painted his face. He had seen her earlier that day. Sitting at a café with a group of friends. He had been mesmerised by her beauty and her effortless grace. She had looked up and caught his eye, and for a moment, they had shared a smile. And instant seared into both their psyche’s forever. But then she had looked away, and he had lost sight of her in the crowd. Now, he had spotted her again, and he couldn't resist following her. He kept a safe distance, but he couldn't help but marvel at her elegance and poise. Her long, dark hair flowed behind her as she walked.

The outfit was impeccable, a perfect combination of style and sophistication. Her white dress lazily kissed her deeply tanned skin. It elevated and descended in provocative ways. Strappy white Jimmy Choo heels were punctuated by perfect pink toenails. The man wondered where she was going, and why she was alone. Was she meeting someone? Was she lost in thought? He tried to imagine her life, but he knew he would never know the answers to his questions. They would burn in his soul forever.

As they turned a corner, the man saw that they were heading towards the Trevi Fountain. It was one of the most famous land marks in Rome, and it was a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. He wondered if she was going there to make a wish, as was the tradition. And if so, what were her deepest desires and dreams? When they arrived at the fountain, the lady paused, absorbing the grandeur of the structure. She looked up at the statues and the cascading water, adrift in thought.

He watched her from a distance, admiring the way the slowly fading light captured her exquisite face and made her eyes sparkle. Suddenly, she turned and saw him. For a heart-stopping moment, they looked at each other, and the man felt a surge of adrenaline. He wondered if she recognised him from earlier, or if she was just surprised to see a stranger watching her. But then, she smiled. It was a warm, inviting smile, and the man felt his heart skip a beat. He smiled back, and she walked towards him. “Hello,” she said, her voice soft and musical. "Are you lost?" Seemingly from nowhere, a sudden shrill sound punctuated the electric atmosphere. Nobody seemed to notice, though it continued on. Suddenly the cinematic scene faded away, replaced by red flashing lights, and still the sound clamoured on. As the lights slowly came into focus they read 1:30pm. I reached over and firmly depressed the alarm button. Silence rapidly invaded the space. Siesta was over.

And so was my glorious Italian dream. Studies show that a short nap in the mid-afternoon can have numerous health benefits. But what is the optimal duration of a daytime nap? In a recent study published in the journal Sleep, scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) delved into how afternoon naps impact our mood, attentiveness and mental performance. On different days, the 32 young adults in the study took a 10-minute, 30-minute, or 60-minute nap. The study discovered that all three nap lengths were superior to staying awake throughout the day, resulting in improved focus and cognitive function. The 30-minute nap, on the other hand, provided the best trade-off between practicality and benefit. All nap durations ranging from 10-60 minutes had clear advantages over staying awake.

The study discovered that regardless of nap length, positive mood and alertness lasted up to four hours post-nap, so even if you can only get in 10 minutes of shut-eye, it's well worth it. Be aware that sleep inertia, which is the feeling of grogginess, disorientation, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment that immediately follows waking, is commonly experienced when daytime naps last longer than 60 minutes. So appropriate timing is essential. As I readied for a productive work afternoon in my now refreshed and alert state, I wondered what adventure would invade my sleeping psyche tomorrow afternoon? Would I rejoin the budding Roman romance, slay a dragon in Game of Thrones or climb Mount Everest? Tune in again tomorrow and find out.