

Physically separate yourself from your work, whether that's your desk, cubicle, or laptop.and maybe even your phone.ĭon't let the pings, pop-ups, and notifications lure you back in. If you're working from home, find a quiet spot at home or a local park to eat your lunch. Meet up at your favorite café and chat over a cup of coffee and pastries, or simply get up from your desk to visit with colleagues.
THE SWEDISH COFFEE BREAK HOW TO
The important thing is to step away from your work. Fika is all about slowing down and taking some time for yourself. However, if you're looking for some ideas on how to fika, here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of your Swedish coffee break: Enjoy fika with friends or on your own: There are no hard and fast rules regarding fika, per se. This Swedish practice is a gentle reminder of the importance of building rest into our busy schedules. Fika is all about taking a moment to relax and recharge your batteries. The beverage options aren't really obligatory though, and neither are the cakes, the important part is to stepping away from work to be present.įika is more than just stopping to grab coffee and food, it's meant to be intentional and purposeful - unlike the mindless pantry-grazing some might be more accustomed to. It can function as both a noun or verb, and refers to the practice of making time for coffee or tea, and a little something to eat. The word fika is derived from the Swedish word kaffi, which is slang for coffee.
THE SWEDISH COFFEE BREAK SERIES
Even Swedish car-maker Volvo has made a point of observing it with a series of pop-up fika cafés and a whole series dedicated to the concept. Fika is a thought, attitude, and a vital component of Swedish culture. In this blog post, we'll discuss the origins of fika and how you can incorporate it into your own day! A relaxing coffee and cake breakįika is frequently translated to coffee/cake breaks which is technically accurate but doesn't capture the whole picture.


It's so important, they invented a word for it. It's a cultural institution, a moment to pause and recharge your batteries. And today, we want to introduce another Scandinavian tradition that you may not have heard of: Fika.įika roughly translates to a short coffee break but in Sweden, fika means more than just stopping to grab food and coffee. We've previously written about Lillördag (Little Saturdays) observed in Sweden. If you've been furniture shopping in the past five years, you've no doubt come across the hygge philosophy from Denmark. When it comes to conscientious living, it seems like the Nordic have it figured out.
