Puhkustpuhkus

Puhkustpuhkus is an Estonian neologism that refers to a practice of maximizing rest by extending or repeating a vacation. The word is formed from puhkus, meaning vacation or rest, with puhkust in the genitive form and repeated as a compound, a pattern found in playful Estonian word formation. The idea behind puhkustpuhkus is to organize time off so that the break feels longer or more restorative than a single vacation would allow. This can involve bridging days around weekends and public holidays, taking additional leave soon after returning from travel, or scheduling consecutive breaks to create a longer pause from work. In practice, puhkustpuhkus is discussed mostly in informal contexts—blogs, social media, and HR discussions about work-life balance—rather than as a defined legal or administrative category. It is not a formal benefit or requirement in Estonian labor law, but it can influence how employees plan their leave and how employers design holiday policies. The term illustrates broader conversations about rest, recovery, and the rhythm of work in contemporary work culture. Related concepts include long weekends, bridging holidays, and vacation planning strategies aimed at extending perceived rest without extending total work time.