Z is for zzzzzzzzz

SLEEP is a scarce commodity in the Donohue household. It has a lot to do with the fact that two-year-olds sometimes struggle to grasp the fact that 4.30am is the wrong time to be demanding to watch their video: "Peter Pan - right NOW!"

Parental pride suggests that giving in is a bad idea and that "No, no, no, no we are not going to sit downstairs in the middle of the night watching Disney cartoons," is a good one.

Yet reality confirms that arguing the toss will mean sharing the bed with a stroppy toddler until two or three hours later, when it's time to get up and he's finally gone back to sleep.

As any stylish man about town will tell you, it's hard to look good with bags under your eyes and the thousand yard stare of sleep deprivation.

Risk of death

Worse still, sleep expert Dr Ken Hume warns that sleep deprivation could lead to cries of, "Honey, the kids are killing us!" A human psychophysio- logist by trade, Dr Hume is the head of the division of health science in the school of biology, chemistry and health science at Manchester Metropolitan University.

He warns that animals subjected to extreme sleep deprivation have been known to drop dead.

Furthermore, the human need for sleep is so powerful that people facing extreme hardship in warfare and adventuring have been known to s-i-m-p-l-y - f-a-l-l - zzzzzz!

"Sleep is a fundamental part of our existence," Dr Hume says. "Sleep is a time for regeneration and recuperation. It is your brain that benefits most. All of the thoughts and actions which pass through our brains involve the creation of complex neurochemicals which can only be reset during sleep."

On average, human beings sleep for around seven hours and 10 minutes each night.

Some people require far less - Margaret Thatcher famously got by on only four hours - while some people sleep for as long as 10 hours at a time.

Sleep can't be stored, but a good night's sleep after a prolonged period of poor sleep (thank heavens for grandparents) will help to recharge the batteries.

Necessary

In the most extreme cases, prolonged sleep deprivation will lead to psychological and psychiatric problems.

"There's a good reason why sleep deprivation is such an effective form of torture," Dr Hume adds.

"People who don't sleep well might suffer from poor muscle tone, poor concentration and they will also have bags under their eyes.

"Your eyes go red because they are not closed for six or seven hours."

And the secret of a good night's sleep?

"Peace of mind, a clear conscience, good living, appropriate exercise and a comfortable bed," Dr Hume adds.

And just maybe a night away from the kids!

YOU can email Simon about your male grooming and style conundrums at simon.donohue@men- news.co.uk

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