Typically when you think about being healthy the first thing that comes to mind is being active, probably through an exercise program of one kind or another.
While that vision is accurate, there is also a great deal of benefit to be had out of being completely inactive - in the form of getting enough regular sleep.
To stay healthy physically and mentally it's vital to get enough rest every day to allow your hard working brain and body to recover from the stresses caused by daily life.
Medical professionals recognize that sleep can actually perform an important role in helping you live longer.
Too much or too little sleep is associated with a shorter lifespan - although it's not clear if it's a cause or an effect.
(Illnesses of course can also affect sleep patterns.
) In a 2010 study of women aged 50 to 79, more deaths occurred in women who got less than five hours or more than six and a half hours of sleep per night.
You know your own body better than anyone, perhaps you only need six hours per night, or maybe you need nine to feel refreshed, try and develop the sleep patterns that work best to your schedule.
Just because you're asleep that doesn't mean you're inactive, actually almost the exact opposite is true.
Research has shown that your mind is typically surprisingly busy while you snooze.
During sleep you can strengthen memories or "practice" skills learned while you were awake (it's a process called consolidation).
This is especially important for students who have been 'using their brains' all day, but learning is something people of all ages do constantly, so sleep is just as valuable to the help preserve the memories of persons of all age brackets.
Did you know that getting enough sleep can help you fight inflammation? Inflammation of muscles and joints has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and premature aging.
Research indicates that people who get less sleep - six or fewer hours per night - often have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins than those who get more rest.
People suffering with sleep apnea or insomnia can also have an improvement in blood pressure and inflammation levels with treatment of the sleep disorders.
Getting enough sleep is especially important for persons involved in creative pursuits as there is a proven link between creativity and having enough rest.
Getting a good night's sleep before firing up the word processor, or picking up the sculptor's hammer will result in a more satisfying result and experience.
In addition to consolidating memories, or making them stronger, your brain appears to reorganize and restructure them while sleeping, which may result in increased creativity.
Researchers at Harvard University and Boston College found that people seem to strengthen the emotional components of a memory during sleep, which may help spur the creative process.
Would-be da Vinci's should ensure they are rested before taking on that fresh, unmarked canvas.
Sufficient sleep is also vital if you're an athlete or anyone in a physically demanding job.
A recent Stanford University study found that college football players who tried to sleep at least 10 hours a night for seven to eight weeks improved their average sprint time and had less daytime fatigue and more stamina on the field.
The results of this study reflect previous findings seen in tennis players and swimmers.
But you don't have to be an Olympic hopeful to benefit from having enough sleep everyone can be better by have sufficient rest.
Proper health and fitness requires a true holistic approach, focusing on just one aspect of overall fitness will not in all likelihood lead to the best results.
Just as nutrition is vital to maintaining a healthy body it has to be recognized that sleep is an important component of personal fitness.
The dedicated mix of exercise, balanced and healthy eating habits, coupled with sufficient daily rest, can lead to improved health, longevity and an overall enjoyment of life.