Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

Did you know ... If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, you are not alone. More than 100 million Americans have occasional sleep problems, and one in six are known to have chronic sleep loss--a leading contributor to health problems.

A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry about. The bigger health concern is chronic sleep loss. Sleep is essential to a healthy body and life.

Five great reasons to get your ZZZZs:

1. Learning & Memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation.
2. Metabolism & Weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates and by altering hormones that impact our appetite.
3. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness.
4. Cardiovascular Health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat.
5. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body's killer cells. Keeping proper sleep habits may also assist in preventing cancer.

Sleep well and sleep often!