![]() ![]() This much-revered social and culinary institution is a cornerstone of Swedish culture. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, call a friend and enjoy a fika moment.Fika is probably any Swede’s favourite word (or time of day). Remember, what you eat and drink doesn’t matter what’s important is that you’re taking time for yourself. Fika, for us, isn’t just about having a break, it’s about fostering a mentality that makes it OK to stop, to slow down, and to reflect.” It’s this mentality that makes fika special. “Creating a fika-based culture has helped us to improve the quality of our employees’ days. ![]() “Having this time set aside is important because it creates an environment of sharing and learning and, to some extent, helps employees build a support system in the office. “Fika has definitely had a positive effect on the wellbeing of our team,” he says. James Lintern, co-founder of rota planning and software company RotaCloud, tells me they introduced fika in 2018. Chatting about relationships, hobbies, even the latest TV series we binged on, provides a moment of light relief. It can be easy to feel consumed by work and forget about all the other facets that make us, us. So why not use your fika time for a catch-up? Perhaps make it a regular mid-morning ritual for your team to chat about non-work related matters. This means that socialising more could help to strengthen our immune system and, remember, those who feel more connected also have lower rates of anxiety and depression. According to research by Steve Cole, professor of medicine, psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences in the UCLA School of Medicine, the genes impacted by social connection also have a role in our immune function. Indeed, connecting with others is great for our wellbeing. While you can enjoy this glorious break alone, for many, a key aspect of fika is socialising (virtually still counts). Put all thoughts of work to one side, and let your mind settle in the present moment. Sip your coffee slowly, press your thumb into the crumbs on your plate, and enjoy every minute. Taking the time to sit down, away from work, with a mug full of freshly brewed coffee and a baked snack, gives us the time to do this. We move at such a fast pace, it’s hard to catch our breath slowing down gives us the chance to check in with ourselves, ask ‘What do I need?’ and gain perspective when we’re stressed. Now, I’m not saying fika can solve all our work-related woes, but there are some powerful, stress-relieving benefits to these mindful breaks.To start with, the whole point of fika is to slow down. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than 11m working days are lost every year due to stress. ![]() I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that not taking breaks is bad for our health – it can increase stress, and even lead to burnout. A 2017 study by Total Jobs revealed that one-in-three of us don’t leave our workplace during the day, with 56% of us never taking a full lunch break. The aim is to step away from work for a moment, socialise with others, and enjoy all the benefits that taking a break gives us – and, dear reader, we need to be taking more proper breaks. But the essential thing is that you do it, that you make time to take a break that’s what fika is all about.” You can do it at home, in a park, or at work. You can do it alone, you can do it with friends. It is the moment that you take a break, often with a cup of coffee, but alternatively with tea, and find a baked good to pair with it. In their book, Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, authors Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall describe fika as “Functioning as both a verb and a noun, the concept of fika is simple. Originating in Sweden, fika is a mindset, a ritual, a moment of pause. But fika is so much more than eating baked goods and drinking hot beverages. If I wasn’t also working, I’d be enjoying ‘fika’ – translated as a ‘coffee and cake break’. An integral part of Swedish culture, ‘fika‘ reminds us to slow down and connect – but what exactly is it, and how can we bring more of it into our lives? Kat Nicholls exploresĬREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on HappifulĪs I write, I’m sipping on coffee and nibbling a blueberry flapjack. ![]()
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