When it’s time for a break at work, do you grab some coffee and then shuffle back to your desk, only to distractedly sip and try to get more stuff done at the same time?
Click start to play today’s Spell It, where we learn how to ‘boost’ our productivity with a proper break.
In a world where we’re always ‘on’, and incoming texts, emails and notifications are a near-constant experience, taking some time to completely disconnect has never been more important. According to a December 2017 report in US-based news website The Wall Street Journal, any work that requires focus will benefit from a media break. And research published in April 2017 in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research found that the mere presence of a mobile phone – even when it’s being ignored – can reduce people’s intellectual acuity.
At workplaces in most places around the world, it’s usually considered to be a good thing if you work long, and work hard. But hundreds of studies have shown that overworking isn’t just mentally and physically draining, it can lead to burnout and, in more serious cases, can result in life-altering illnesses.
If you travel to Sweden, however, you’ll find a strategy that’s stopping people from ever reaching this point. Known as ‘fika’ (pronounced ‘fee-kuh’), this longstanding tradition involves mini coffee breaks during the work day. No matter the size of the company people work for, they usually take two fika – one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Many studies have proven the effectiveness of such short breaks. A 2009 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that even a 15-minute break twice daily can help you stay focused, refresh your mind, and prevent you from burning out.
But fika is not the same as bringing a mug of coffee to your desk, or thinking of it as fuel to propel you faster through the day. Fika’s primary trait is that it helps you slow down and catch your breath. Many Swedes use the time to sit down and have pastries (a cinnamon bun or kanelbullar is the preferred snack) with colleagues, chat, and reconnect.
The practice is so ingrained in Swedish culture, it’s considered part of their lifestyle. It's also why Sweden is the world's third-largest coffee consumer per capita.
Do you think fika would be a welcome addition to modern workplaces elsewhere around the world? Play today’s Spell It and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
