10 things to know about SLEEP

These expert-vetted facts and tips are anything but a snoozethey could help you get better zzz's.

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1 Sleep is key for good health.

Your body runs on sleep, and seven to nine hours per night is the ideal amount of shut-eye it needs to refuel and undergo essential restoration and repair, experts say. Consistent lack of adequate sleep is linked to a higher risk of chronic health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, and cognitive function and memory can also be negatively impacted by failing to rack up the recommended number of hours of dozing.

2 GIVE YOURSELF A BEDTIME.

Kids aren't the only ones who need to be put to bed: Getting up and going to sleep at the same times every day is the best thing you can do to help reinforce the circadian rhythm that regulates your body's internal clock, making it easier for you to fall asleep, stay asleep longer, and wake up rested. Daytime naps aren't a great way to make up for irregular bedtimes and lost sleep-they can disrupt your circadian rhythm, which can make it difficult for you to fall asleep at night, says Rashad Ramkissoon, M.D., of Houston Methodist Primary Care Group.

3 GETTING QUALITY ZZZ'S HELPS WITH WEIGHT MAINTENANCE.