Let’s stay smooth AND healthy! Here are some recent Fit Bits* from the show.

We all know that not getting enough sleep has many not-so-pleasant effects. As it turns out, not all all of them are as obvious as falling asleep when you shouldn’t. According to Lifescript.com, sleep deprivation has been linked to weight gain, depression, anxiety, heart disease and insulin resistance. Yikes! We better get our Z’s!

Need even more incentive to eat better? According to Web MD, a healthy diet is as good for your mind as it is for your body. If your diet lacks essential nutrients, it can decrease your ability to concentrate. In addition, eating too much or too little can also mess with your ability to focus. Too much can make you lethargic and too little leads to those distracting hunger pangs.

Trying to lose weight? Many studies say don’t skip meals. If you do your body may think it’s in “starvation mode” and your metabolism may slow down. Plus, you when you pass on, say, lunch…you are more likely to overeat at dinner. In the end, of course, calories in and calories burned are probably the key.

Got a few minutes? Let’s get physical! A new study posted in the Lancet shows that if inactive people put in just 15 minutes of exercise a day, they would increase their life expectancy by 3 years.

*Fit Bits are collected from various studies and news stories as noted. Always talk to your doctor about your health.