The Windhoek Connection - 10 January 2023

Making the most of your time

We are (already!!) in the second week of the new year!

The last of those on holiday will be returning to work in the coming days and a sense of normalcy will return to the daily routine in a refreshed mindset, determined to see through to the resolutions set for the new year.

By the end of last year, like most end of years, everyone was tired, annoyed and ready to take a break. Going on vacation - even if staying at home (staycation, anyone?) is something everyone looks forward to; Spending time with loved ones - or even alone - with a change of scenery; recovering from the demands of the day-to-day operations of life.

According to research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, the ideal length of a vacation is exactly eight days.

The positive benefits of time off kick in on day one, but scientists speculate that it takes until day eight for people to fully shake off their responsibilities and work stress. After day eight, positive feelings start to decrease and they fall rapidly after day 11.

The study found that short breaks like the weekend aren't long enough for

When someone says you can’t do it, do it twice. And take pictures!

people to reap the benefits of having time off, because the lines between work and home life are increasingly crossing and employees are working longer hours. It is therefore recommended taking annual shorter vacations to recharge rather than taking one long vacation every few years.

Regardless of how long a vacation might last, research has shown that you shouldn’t skimp on taking time off. Studies show that not taking vacations is correlated with enhanced risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and even premature death. It can also affect mental health.

But this doesn’t mean you need to pack your bags for an around the world getaway. Even people who choose to stay close to home, will reap the same physical and psychological rewards.

In much of the western world, the workaholic mentality seems cemented in much of society. People have internalized this and feel guilty taking vacations.

Many are afraid to leave work because they think that others may see them as being lazy. Taking time off is not yet viewed as a period that is really important for you, to perform stronger at work and generally in life.

This got me thinking…

Our laws prescribe a minimum of 20 days paid annual leave. But what about other countries?

Worldwide, the average of paid annual leave stands at 18.2 days. Namibia is above average in this instance, prescribing a minimum of 20 days - excluding public holidays, which account for an additional 12 days.

Andorra (very small land-locked country bordering Spain and France) offers the most paid annual leave days (31) with 14 public holidays, prescribing that one period of leave must last two weeks or more, to allow an uninterrupted rest period.

Countries like France stand out from the rest by the way their annual leave is arranged:

France offers 5 weeks (calculated on a 6-day week) plus up to 22 days of RTT (Reduction of Working Time) for employees that choose to work more than 35 hours per week (the "limit" is 39 hours per week - anything over that is compensated financially.)

Bonus days off are given to people who take a part of their annual leave outside summer (3 days grant 1 bonus day off, 6 days grant 2 bonus days off).

Combining all these rules, employees could qualify for up to 9.5 weeks of paid vacation. Furthermore, there are 11 paid public holidays.

This, however, does not mean that the grass is greener on the other side.

Countries like the US have no statutory minimum paid vacation or paid public holidays, treating it as a perk, rather than a right. Paid leave is at the discretion of the employers to their employees. The average number

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of paid vacation days offered by private employers is 10 days after 1 year of service, 14 days after 5 years, 17 days after 10 years, and 20 days after 20 years.

How can you maximise your annual leave?

1. Get over your vacation guilt. Just remember that vacation’s not a gift bestowed on you by a benevolent employer. You earned those days. They’re part of your total compensation, just like your salary and benefits. That’s why you shouldn’t feel guilty when you ask for time off.

2. Shut it all down.

For many people vacation days are really work-ation days. They are constantly checking email and working on their smartphone. Worse, some people use the day as a catch-up day for the work they couldn’t finish. They end the day more tired than they began. Take a real break. Turn off the phone and take an email holiday. Try and go at least 6 hours of the day with no electronics at all. You might notice a few surprises in the world around that you have missed.

Carry this with you into 2023: Carry this with you into 2023:

Do the things you love more often; Let go of people or situations that drain you; Sometimes you need to get uncomfortable, to get comfortable; Wherever your attention goes, your energy flows;

If you change your mindset you will change your life.

3. Do some long-range vacation planning.

Someday, you’ll take the kids to visit your cousin in South Africa. Someday, you’ll go to Europe to see snow. Someday, you’ll go to the Caprivi to see the most spectacular part of our country.

The trouble with someday is that it never appears on your calendar. Financial, work and family obligations keep pushing back your vacation plans. By the time you’re finally ready, you might already be retired. So plan out your vacation not just for the coming year, but the four years after that.

4. Use the piggyback technique to get the most out of your holidays. Scan the calendar for opportunities to combine your vacation days with paid holidays for longer, more restorative breaks. Most people opt to take off the preceding Friday for Monday holidays. A better strategy is to take off the day following the holiday. You still get the four-day break, with the added benefit of a three-day work week.

Regardless of how many vacation days you have, use them.

Sources: huffpost.com; wikipedia.org; travelandleisure.com; headspace.com; millionmilesecrets.com; allianztravelinsurance.com; incafrica.com

Upcoming Events

Hiking at Daan Viljoen Game Park

Saturday, January 14th, 2023

Join us for a hike at Daan Viljoen Game Park on Saturday, January 14th, 2023 at 06h30 in the parking lot at the Daan Viljoen Lodge. For bookings, please contact 081 217 5747.

Highest point: 1773 meters a.s.l.

Ascent/Descent: 384m/359m

Hiking at Avis Dam

Sunda, January 15th, 2023

Distance: ~ 14 km

Time: ~ 5 hours

Level: Easy/Moderate

Surface: 100% trail

Join us for a walk around Avis Dam on Sunday, January 15th, 2023 at 7h00 in the parking lot at Avis Dam. For bookings, please contact 081 217 5747.

Highest point: 1800 meters a.s.l.

Ascent/Descent: 226m/231m

Distance: ~ 5 km

Time: ~ 2 hours

Level: Easy

Surface: 100% trail

Watermelon & Feta Salad

Ingredients

• 9 cups watermelon, cut in large circles with a melon baller

• 2 loose cups baby arugula

• 8 to 10 fresh spearmint leaves, chopped

• 225g feta cheese, crumbled in large chunks

Method

1. Using a melon baller, prepare the melon into large balls. Set aside in a bowl until ready to serve.

2. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, drain the liquid from the bowl.

3. Scatter half of the watermelon into a large, shallow serving bowl and scatter half of the arugula and feta on top, repeat with the remaining watermelon, arugula and feta then top everything with fresh mint.

Variations:

• Sub mint in this watermelon salad for basil or cilantro.

• Add cucumber or red onion for extra veggies.

• Swap the feta for goat cheese.

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