Tis’ the Damn Season for a Fika
By Ursula Vollmer
There are only two weeks left until the end of another successful semester at Villanova but that does not mean you have to give up on taking the time to schedule a break during a typical day of studying. Whether you are looking forward to enjoying the holidays at home or traveling, it is still important to be in the present moment during these last moments on campus. It can be hard to remember to appreciate the little things but this holiday season is the perfect opportunity to integrate a new tradition into your daily routine.
While many have heard of the term hygge, which is the Danish or Norwegian word for having a cozy and comfortable wellness filled experienced focusing on the little things in life, fika is the Swedish word for a similar feeling with an emphasis on taking a break to enjoy a coffee, tea and light bite to eat with friends or family. The word fika derives from the 19th-century slang word for coffee: kaffi. Invert the word kaffi, and you actually get fika! Both a verb and a noun, taking a fika or, especially asking a friend “to grab a fika,” is both an inviting and comforting way to show that you care about someone else's well-being and want to take the time to chat with them.
While the word in itself focuses on taking this therapeutic coffee break it is also a term that should be applied to an individual’s overall lifestyle. It is taking time to pause, to rest, to let your brain recharge and to go forward with the rest of your day with a healthy mindset. The Swedes prioritize taking this small break to focus on anything but work. It is even written into many of their company policies as a daily required task! While it can be so difficult to tear ourselves from the pressures of studying in these last few weeks, the Swedes know that you are never too busy for a fika because in truth you are really never too busy to spend 30 mins in the presence of a warm drink and baked goods.
The next time you are feeling stressed, which is going to be very frequent over the next two weeks, recognize that it is okay to take a fika. Invite your friends and find a cozy space. Try a new drink and indulge in the quiet moments, be thankful for all you have, and finish the rest of the day in a motivated headspace to accomplish any task at hand!
Where to Experience a Fika:
At Villanova
Grab a coffee from Holy Grounds or Rosies and meet a friend. Find a quiet place, put your phone away and talk about something that isn’t school related :)
Off Campus
Treat yourself to a holiday from a local coffee shop in the area. Try any of the holiday drinks at Starbucks like the peppermint mocha or the sugar cookie latte
First watch with their warm drinks and specialty food like the caramel pecan cinnamon roll
Order a La Columbe peppermint draft latte online and sip the cool flavors of Christmas
