It’s hard to
imagine a time when actively improving one’s lifestyle is more popular than
now. In order to achieve happiness, we alter our diets and exercise routines,
we embrace minimalism, spiritualism, we read self-help books, take digital
breaks, monitor our heartbeats and meditate using apps. We spend a lot of time,
money and effort seeking a lifestyle that will make us happy. The truth is,
navigating this road to happiness can be nothing short of exhausting.
With this in
mind, when the Scandinavian lifestyle concept 'Hygge' - the art of being cosy -
became the buzzword of last year I wasn’t particularly surprised. Lighting
candles, wearing comfortable clothes, snuggling up under a blanket and spending
quality time with loved ones feels like going back to basics. It is so simple,
and if you listen to the adopters, so effective.
But whilst hygge
might help some of us achieve happiness at home, it does seem a hard concept to
apply at work. Because surely, work cannot be cosy? I’m happy to say that us
Scandinavians have another trick up our sleeve for this - allow me to introduce
you to 'fika'.
Fika is taking a
break from work, having a cup of coffee, eating baked goods and chatting to
your fellow work colleagues in a relaxed environment. In Sweden, fika happens
twice a day in the majority of workplaces, once in the morning and once in the
afternoon (förmiddagsfika and eftermiddagsfika). That’s 20 minutes a pop for
each break in addition to an hour’s lunch.
Try taking the
fika break away from a Swede and you shall be met with utter resistance. In
fact, since employers too can see the benefits of fika you’ll rarely find
anyone wanting to take it away. Each time fika becomes the topic for research
and study, the many benefits of the 20-minute coffee break are reaffirmed.
It may be that
we Scandinavian’s aren’t exactly famous for being the cheeriest bunch, but look
at the 2016 World Happiness Report and you’ll find all five Scandinavian
countries in the top 10, with Denmark securing the top spot. So where does fika
play into this and how does it actually work?
Margareta Troein
Töllborn is a professor at Lund University and has been studying how employers
can reduce stress and work related conditions that lead to long-term sick
leave. She argues that increased fika breaks could hold the key to improved
wellness among employees. What Margareta found in her research was that short,
consistent 'recovery' periods drastically decrease the risk of staff burning
out. Not only do such breaks lead to increased staff wellbeing and overall
happiness, but they save employers from paying costly sick leave in the long
term.
Furthermore, a
recent survey conducted by United Minds showed that when it comes to creative
ideas, Fika is of immense importance to Swedish businesses. In fact, the survey
shows that only nine per cent of all new ideas were brought up in a traditional
meeting environment. Rather, it is during the more relaxed get-togethers of
fika where ideas are born. There are several potential explanations for this.
Not only is fika cross-functional which aids perspective and helps generate new
ideas, fika’s unofficial status and relaxed setting means staff are more open
to brainstorm and less intimidated about suggesting new ideas.
Happiness,
wellbeing and creativity are all great things but add to that another
surprising benefit of fika - studies show that fika actually increases
productivity. This fact has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the world.
Renowned computer scientist and psychological professor Alex Pentland concluded
in his research of workplaces that by scheduling regular coffee breaks, staff
productivity increased by 10 to 15 per cent. As for happiness, employee
satisfaction rose with 10 per cent. Some may call that a win-win. The main
reason according to Pentland was the improved communication between employees.
As people get together to talk and discuss both work and nonwork related
topics, productivity increases. All Swedes know that it is during fika that we
get to know one another, guards are down, hierarchies are flat and this helps
work relationships even when fika is over and you’re back at your desk.
When I moved
from Sweden to London I thought I was saying goodbye to fika at work for good.
However, when I joined Hubble, a business whose vision is to empower people and
businesses to love where they work by matching them with their perfect
workspace, I knew that I might have a shot. If anyone would be open to the idea
of fika, it was them. Luckily - I was right. For the past two weeks the whole
company breaks at 3.30 for coffee, cake and chat. Although we’re yet to see the
long-term results of fika, the feedback from teams and managers alike has been
nothing short of glowing. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that since
introducing fika we are a stronger, tighter, more efficient and above all -
happier - team than ever before.
From:
PORTAL DA
LÍNGUA INGLESA has no responsibility for the
persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-partly internet websites
referred to in this post, and does not guarantee that any context on such
websites are, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
In some
instances, I have been unable to trace the owners of the pictures used here;
therefore, I would appreciate any information that would enable me to do so.
Thank you very much.
Is something important missing?
Report an error or suggest an improvement. Please, I strive for accuracy and
fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact me!
Your feedback is welcome. Please
direct comments and questions to me at bruno_coriolano@hotmail.com
Did you spot a typo?
Do you have any tips or examples
to improve this page?
Do you disagree with something on
this page?
Use one of your social-media
accounts to share this page:
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário