You know that you want to eat chocolate when you are stressed!
Well here’s a method for making the experience truly stress relieving.
Keep in mind that the best results come from eating one single square of high cocoa content dark chocolate.
- Take a few deep breaths to relax your body. Close your eyes, if you feel comfortable with it.
- Experience the texture of the wrapping. Notice the weight of the chocolate in your hand
- As you unwrap the chocolate, listen to the noise of the foil or paper. Observe the shape and colour of the chocolate
- Bring the chocolate up to your nose and inhale the aroma. Notice the thoughts this aroma invokes and then let them go.
- Finally, take a small bite of your chocolate. Let it sit on your tongue and melt in your mouth. Notice the flavours and textures from the chocolate, becoming completely absorbed in what you’re experiencing right now. Continue your deep breathing, and concentrate on the sensations in your mouth. Let the chocolate melt completely.
- As you swallow, focus on how it feels going down. Notice how your mouth feels empty.
- 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. Focus on the sensations you are feeling in the present moment.
- If other thoughts come into your mind during your chocolate meditation, gently refocus your attention to the flavours and sensations associated with the chocolate. The idea is to stay in the present moment as much as you possibly can.
- Savour this feeling. When you’re done savouring 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.
- Have you ever enjoyed chocolate this much?
I wish I had thought of ‘The Chocolate Meditation’ myself but the credit has to go to Susan Albers, Psy.D and Elizabeth Scott M.S.