We all have nights when we cannot sleep, when we are troubled by unpleasant thoughts or plagued by anxieties or unable to alleviate our worries.
This is the perfect time to practice zazen.
The quiet practice of zazen releases in the brain the neurotransmitter serotonin, which functions as a mood stabilizer and has been shown to be effective in countering depression. Zazen can provide the therapeutic effect of boosting serotonin to the brain without the need to take medicine.
Once the brain is in a relaxed state, your blood vessels also gradually relax, improving your blood flow. This spreads warmth throughout your body.
With your mental haze cleared and your body warmed, you will naturally become sleepy.
When you get into bed, let go of whatever happened to you since waking up that morning, and be thankful for having made it through another day.
When you wake up the next morning, you will feel renewed. Do not underestimate the effects of five minutes of zazen before you go to sleep.