Here's a chocolate meditation for sweet, sweet stress relief. It's the perfect sensory meditation for the cold, busy holiday season (if you love chocolate, anyway). But if you don't like or can't eat chocolate, just try this meditation with something you do love.

The idea is that you use all of your senses to explore a piece of chocolate as if it was the last piece on earth. You get to savor life’s sweetness without any hint of guilt — and your chocolate lasts longer.

It might be one of the easiest mindfulness meditations out there since it has a built-in reward beyond the basic rewards of meditation: chocolate.

I hope this inspires you to enjoy the little things. To take care of this moment. To appreciate how healing happens in the small, day-to-day moments that are easy to miss.

A Chocolate Meditation to Hep You Savor the Moment

1. Settle into a comfortable seated position with a bite-sized piece of unopened chocolate nearby. If you can, choose dark chocolate with a high cocoa content and simple, all-natural ingredients.

2. Relax your body, softening the muscles in your face, neck, and shoulders. Take a few long, deep breaths. Bring your attention inward, and simply notice how it feels to be here right now.

3. Slowly reach for the chocolate, aware of the movement of your arms and hands. Pay attention to the distinct sounds of breaking off a piece or removing the packaging. If you listen closely enough, you might even hear your heart beating or your belly growling with anticipation.

4. Hold the chocolate gently between your fingers. Take your beginner’s mind to this piece of chocolate. Look it over. Turn it over and see all its sides and subtleties. Is it smooth or rough, glossy or matte? Admire how delicious it looks.

5. Notice how the piece of chocolate feels in your fingers. Is it warm from the heat of your body? Soft or firm? Feel its textures, curves, and edges.

6. Now bring the chocolate up to your mouth, but don’t eat it quite yet. Close your eyes to heighten your sense of smell. Take a deep breath and enjoy the aroma. Exhale and notice any emotions or memories that come up. Be present with everything you feel.

7. With your eyes closed, take a very small bite. Let the chocolate sit on your tongue and melt in your mouth. Notice everything about this experience: how it melts and spreads, the complexity of its taste, the sensation of desire in your belly.

8. Nibble gently or move your tongue around so the flavor spreads to other areas of your mouth. Concentrate on the sensations. Continue your deep breathing. Become completely absorbed in the joy of eating something delicious.

9. Focus on how it feels when you swallow the chocolate, and how your mouth now feels empty. Before you take another bite, pause with gratitude for being alive and being able to enjoy this.

. . .

Tell me:

How'd you like this meditation?

Or, what helps you relieve stress during this time of year?

Tell me in the comments. I'd love to know!

~ Jen