What we can learn from Swedish Fika and the Nordic Lucia tradition on how to create a happier, more engaged, and healthier workplace.

Lucia brings light, love and hope in the darkest time of the year in the high north.  She is highly anticipated and Lucia-Day on 12/13 is a joyful celebration.  That brings me to another Nordic tradition, the Swedish Fika.  We Finns call it coffee-break.  Just like Lucia brings light into darkness, a Fika break at work offers a brief relief from the worries of the day and can bring inspiration and joy to the team.

Fika as a concept has spread over the world lately thanks to brilliant marketing. It is a simple and brilliant custom. Most workplaces in my native Finland and neighbor Sweden take a Fika break daily in the afternoon. Often they gather in the coffee room, or break room at work.

It gives them a reason to step away from the desk, the workstation,  and join others for some informal interactions. Enjoy a coffee, a snack, or stretch.  Some workplaces have taken Fika to the next level, adding relaxing activities that create togetherness, such as a building a puzzle, play a board game, perhaps a creative project, or some stretching or yoga.

Taking breaks that refreshes our mind, offers social interaction, and moves our body are simple and low budget ways to create a healthy and engaged culture.

What can Fika look like at your workplace?  How can you be the light that inspires?  Perhaps you'll break for Fika once a week? Listen to my podcast for other ideas on how to create a Fika culture to your workplace.

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