The Restorative Practice of "Fika" By Kathryn Alley
Everyone deserves to have a break from the everyday mundane, and celebrate enrichment from new, diverse experiences and cultures. Part of what makes a vacation so needed and wonderful, is the purpose of thoughtful separation from business, work deadlines, and typical responsibilities. Burnout is inevitable for overworked, under-rested individuals without the self-awareness and pursuit of holistic rest. Sadly, it’s incredibly difficult to pause in our modern world. To actively choose disconnection and let the mind feel at ease. Most often, vacations take the role of a dynamic party and pleasure in an overload of activity. Waking up to watch the sunrise across the ocean waves, after a night’s rest of nearly four hours. Or anxiously waiting for the correct metro stop after a spilled cappuccino and misread work email crafted dizzying confusion. Amid bustling tour schedules, abnormal closing times for art museums, and the evening rush of restaurant crowds, there is little time for anything other than stress. We have allowed the fear of missing out on every possible source of entertainment, food, and Instagram post to consume our initial reason for traveling to begin with. Our minds desperately crave a true vacation. 26
thecityinsightmag.com
