Fika is a concept that is a very important signature of Swedish culture. It means making time for friends to share a cup of coffee. Fika is so meaningful and deeply woven into Swedish culture that it is often written into employment contracts stating that employees are entitled and sometimes, mandated to take fika breaks. The Swedes have it right in that they recognize the value in taking a moment to take a break and connect socially.
Studies have shown that taking breaks throughout the workday has benefits for both the employee and the organization. Employees stepping away from work for a few minutes has been shown to increase their productivity, job satisfaction, mental health and well-being. Taking a break from work increases focus when employees return to their work tasks, allowing them to become more engaged in their work which leads to improving their productivity overall. Taking breaks is great for the reduction of stress and anxiety, which helps employees’ mental health and well-being. These factors contribute to increased job satisfaction (Tork, 2018. Take back the lunch break survey findings).
Movement breaks are also beneficial for emotional and physical health and have been shown to increase employee energy levels and creative thinking vital to innovative production methods and ingenuitive problem solving. Breaks can prevent decision fatigue. Taking a break from making decisions within work allows employees to refuel to make better decisions than they would without a break. Taking a break before becoming fatigued helps improve memory and focus, therefore allowing employees to better remember what they have learned. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011. Brief diversions vastly improve focus). Each of these benefits show that breaks improve employees’ quality of work, thus benefiting the organization, supervisors, and employees alike.
When supervisors or organizations promote healthy habits as a part of their workplace culture, employees feel more valued and a greater sense of appreciation. This can lead to greater workplace morale, more loyal employees, and less employee turnover. Promoting healthier habits at work often carries over into personal homelife habits. In doing so, this can help create greater generalized health, which in turn leads to less illness and less time off work overall.
Deactivating then reactivating the part of the brain that was being used resets the brain’s ability to focus and pay attention, resulting in improved mental focus when employees return from their breaks (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011). So, how do we facilitate a break to maximize the benefit? First, do an activity that uses a different part of the brain than was being used for work. This allows the part of the brain that was being used to rest. Walking, exercising, connecting with nature or going outside, having lunch or a snack, drinking a beverage, taking a few deep breaths, meditating, or getting creative are all ways to deactivate and reactivate one’s attention. When an employee is too busy to take a break, even just switching focus to a different task, still maintains the brain’s attention and improves focus in the longer term. Allow the brain to rest and come back to work refreshed and reenergized.
Many employees do not take breaks because they think they will be looked down upon for doing so. Sharing information with employees about the benefits of breaks may help them realize that taking a break will benefit them. Perhaps the strongest encouragement for employees to take breaks: their supervisor taking breaks themselves. If employees’ supervisors take breaks themselves, then employees know that it is okay to take breaks and they will not be penalized for it. Many employees have a preconceived notion that taking a break lowers their productivity or suggests they are not committed to their job. Supervisors taking breaks models positive workplace behavior, encouraging employees to follow suit. Balance is key to sustainable success both in your work and in your personal life. Breaks are a vital self-care activity that will positively impact both. It is my hope, that now you feel less guilty about enjoying your breaks, and possibly even adopt regular Fika appointments in your daily routine. It is good to stop and smell the coffee.
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