Why the Swedish tradition «fika» is the ideal antidote for dark autumn days

It’s finally the season of cozy. We get out the blankets and the pumpkin-spiced candles and prepare for the next few mois of crunchy leaves and hot chocolate treats.

Also, the days are getting shorter, colder and we have a million things on our minds. Politics is like a TV series. The cost of living crisis keeps getting worse. This is without considering the mental stress and burnout that many of us are experiencing.

What better way to get away from the daily stresses and strains than to embrace ‘fika? Fika, which is often translated loosely to coffee, cake, and catching up, is what the Swedes refer to as.

It’s more of a social phenomenon than anything else. People can meet new people, make friends, find potential partners, and network with business people while enjoying delicious snacks. What could be more?

Swedish culture regards fika so highly that many companies include a clause in their contracts that states that employees have the right to take fika breaks. IKEA states that fika is more than just a coffee break. It’s a time to connect, share and relax with colleagues. Fika is where the best ideas and decisions are made.

It is not surprising that we are looking to Scandinavian countries for inspiration to help us get away from the chaos and live in the simple things. The Scandinavians have a natural sense of calmness and resilience. There are many things we can all learn from this part of the globe.

Where did fika originate?

Visit Sweden says that fika had a humble start in the 18th Century. According to Visit Sweden, fika is a reverse transcription of the syllables of the word kaffi (the old spelling of coffee). In later years, however, the accompanying baked goods — commonly called fikabrod (fikabread) — were just as important as the social aspect.

Fika is often enjoyed at work with colleagues, or on weekends with friends. According to the tourist board, «Let’s go fika» is one of most encouraging messages that you can get from a long-lost buddy.

How do I adopt fika in my life?

It is very easy, thankfully. To reconnect with yourself and others, take two 10- to 30-minute breaks from your desk throughout the day.

A cup of coffee is essential for the fika table. But, you can enjoy any other beverage that you like.

Hej Sweden claims that most people combine their break with some pastries, or fikabrod. The most common are kanelbullar, chokladbollar and biscuits. Then, you are ready for some much-needed downtime.

Let’s make fika!