Sound sleep: from immunity to hormone balance, your health depends on logging adequate snooze time.(THE LEADING EDGE: INNOVATIVE & FRESH SOLUTIONS TO HELP YOU LIVE BETTER)

When we think of sleep, we think of a time to rest, a time of inactivity when our bodies can wind down from the day's events. But that's not the case. When we sleep soundly, there is a whirlwind of interior activity as our bodies repair muscles, release hormones, bolster immunity, and energize our cells. Getting enough sleep--or not--affects our ability to concentrate, our moods, and even our weight. It also affects how our bodies age.

"Chronic sleep loss may not only hasten the onset, but could also increase the severity of age-related ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and memory loss," Says Eve Van Cauter, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.

In addition, lack of sleep is associated with depression, anxiety, and even accelerated aging. "When we are tired, we feel edgy, irritable, and are more reactive to stress," says holistic pharmacist Sherry Torkos, author of the Better Nutrition Healthy Living Guide Relax.

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The most common sleep complaint is insomnia. It affects about one-third of the American population, with women more than twice as likely to experience it as men.

Is It Insomnia?

Many people are not getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sound sleep per night. Do all of those people have insomnia? If you have difficulty falling asleep, can't stay asleep, and/or experience poor sleep quality at least three nights a week for more than a month, you have insomnia.