Is Active Recovery Better Than Total Rest

I am trying to find the perfect balance between training and recovery. I am wondering is active recovery better than total rest for most athletes. I have heard that taking a complete day off is necessary for the nervous system to recover but others say that staying active is better for muscle repair and circulation.

I usually take one day of total rest and one day of active recovery each week. I am wondering if I would be better off doing some light activity on both days or if I should just stay in bed once a week. I am in the US and I train for both strength and endurance so my recovery needs are quite high.

What is your personal preference for your days off? Do you find that you feel stiffer if you do absolutely nothing? I would love to hear from people who have experimented with both methods and what they found worked best for their performance and well being.