BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Regular sleep doesn't just help us look and feel better -- it actually improves memory.

Studies have shown that the brain replays memories during sleep to help consolidate what it has learned during the day. But new research has found that resting while awake also improves memory storage.

Scientists at New York University administered a memory test to volunteers in their lab. The participants had to remember faces that were paired with objects -- such as a beach ball -- or places, such as the beach.

After learning the different pictures, volunteers were told to rest while they underwent MRI brain scans.

Results showed that the memory areas of the brain were highly active during this rest period -- and they increased their communication with areas of higher reasoning.

People whose brains were the most active performed better on the later memory test.