How to Enjoy a Chocolate Meditation

How to Enjoy a Chocolate Meditation Meditation Print How to Enjoy a Chocolate Meditation By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on January 13, 2020 Dulin / Getty Images More in Self-Improvement Meditation Happiness Stress Management Spirituality Holistic Health Inspiration Brain Health Technology Relationships View All The chocolate meditation is one of the most pleasurable, delicious forms of mindfulness meditation out there, and its a very convenient one, too: its simple enough for beginners, but effective enough to interest those experienced in meditation and seeking some variety. The chocolate meditation also brings the same benefits of meditation as other forms but is perhaps easier to commit to, because it has a built-in reward above and beyond the general rewards of meditation: chocolate. Finally, if youre already a fan of chocolate and trying to cut down on how much chocolate you eat, you can use this as a form of mindful eating, to help yourself eat less and stress less next time you find yourself enjoying some of your favorite ?chocolatey desserts. Whatever your motivations, the chocolate meditation is a great one to learn.  Heres how to do it.? How to Meditate With Chocolate Get a small piece of chocolate. Thats right; for the chocolate meditation, you need, of course, a piece of chocolate. We recommend a small piece of dark chocolate with a large cocoa content, but you can use a chocolate kiss, a handful of semi-sweet chips, or whatever you have on-hand. It need not be a large piece of chocolate, either; in fact, bite-sized or a little larger is best.Relax your body.  Take a few deep breaths and work on un-tensing your muscles to relax your body. You want to start your chocolate meditation as physically relaxed as possible. Close your eyes, if you feel comfortable with it.Smell, gaze, and nibble.  After you smell the chocolate and enjoy the aroma, after you look at the chocolate and really take in how delicious it looks, you can finally take a small bite of your chocolate. Let it sit on your tongue and melt in your mouth. Notice the flavors from the chocolate, becoming completely absorbed in what youre experiencing right now. Continue your deep breathin g, and concentrate on the sensations in your mouth.Focus on the sensations. As you swallow, focus on how it feels going down. Notice how your mouth feels empty. Then, as you take a second bite, try to even notice how your arm feels as you raise the chocolate to your mouth, how it feels between your fingers, and then in your mouth. Again, focus on the sensations you are feeling in the present moment.Re-focus on the present.  If other thoughts come into your mind during your chocolate meditation, gently refocus your attention to the flavors and sensations associated with the chocolate. The idea is to stay in the present moment as much as you possibly can.Savor the feeling.  When youre done savoring your chocolate, revisit the feeling throughout your day, and feel more relaxed. You may choose to continue your meditation after the chocolate is gone, or simply resume your day immediately afterward. Tips for Meditating With Chocolate You dont need to consume large quantities of chocolate during this exercise. In fact, if youre doing it carefully, you wont need to consume much at all.If youre sensitive to chocolate or have issues with sugar, you can try a similar type of meditation with raisins or other savor-able food youre able to safely eat.If you meditate every day, youll find lasting benefits and perhaps even a greater resilience toward stress.