"That's it, I quit! The first thing I'll put on your desk on Monday morning will be my resignation letter."That was my 28-year-old cousin yelling at his manager on a phone that he was about to break in half. It was on the third day of Qurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice), also known as Eid al-Adha, which is a four-day national holiday in Turkey. After dozens of hours spent in front of a computer screen for two days, replying to emails and making business-related phone calls as a purchasing agent, I think it is only fair for him to be mad at the workflow. Because just like any other religious holiday, Qurban Bayram is meant to be bring people together. If you make a phone call, it should be for wishing a happy feast to your relatives. If you turn on your computer, you should look at the Facebook albums of your relatives titled "Happy Feasts" and maybe upload your own photos.But in an era of never-ending communication, it means never-ending work for many of us. This is why a new term, workation, says a lot. Since digital communication tools like email, WhatsApp and Skype are available 24/7, many business executives see this as a chance to get the job done after work hours or even on weekends or holidays. They could not be more wrong.Being productive does not mean nonstop workWorking as a freelancer for nearly 10 years, I have some solid ideas on how to manage my time and relieve stress even when working on holidays. For example, during the first three days of Qurban Bayram where all of my extended family gathered at grandma's garden house, my computer was always on – right next to my cousin's. I wrote four pieces of news per day for a tech magazine, which took about three hours a day. But nobody ever saw me working and I did not feel like it was a workday. I welcomed our guests, spent quality time with my little girl, was involved in family conversations and so on. It was a holiday and I enjoyed it as much as my daughter. When all of your tasks are listed in your inbox for years, you develop the skill to better manage your time and master the work-life balance. That's "Freelancer 101." But you cannot, or should not, expect this kind of skill or experience from a full-time employee.Employee burnout is a real thing. While communication technologies and remote working tools are evolving constantly, basic human needs are still the same. We need fresh water, a place to live and, every once in a while, we need a good vacation. But as our connected time becomes constant, so do expectations at the office. Today, being on leave does not mean you are unavailable. Your boss, clients and colleagues know that you are always an email away. Even if you do not get numerous phone calls like my cousin, chances are that you will be overwhelmed with constant email notifications on your smartphone asking for a reply ASAP. When you return to work after this kind of vacation, while you probably will not be submitting your resignation, you will surely be questioning your place in the universe.And you are not alone. According to a recent study by Intel Security, 68 percent of Americans check personal/work email at least once a day while on vacation. The CMO of software provider Workfront, Joe Staples explained this to Inc.com, citing a business world where 40 percent of managers work more than 40-hour weeks: "What's more, 82 percent of office workers are logging into email outside of standard business hours. Bosses need to step in and play a role in setting the tone for a positive, healthy work environment that encourages time away from work."How to avoid work-related stress and burnoutFirst of all, there has to be a work culture that encourages employees to unplug on vacation. North Carolina-based tech firm Bandwith tackles this problem with a vacation embargo. That means no calls, no email and no quick questions. When an employee goes on vacation, a message from their manager is delivered to coworkers that kindly reminds of the aforementioned embargo. The CEO of the company, David Morken, says they tell office staff not to contact employees on vacation under any circumstance and even "[t]o report back to their manager if he or she tries to contact them."I am sure my cousin would love to work at a company like this. But it is not all about the company. As an employee, or even a freelancer, you have to prepare yourself to be unplugged like setting up automated replies for your inbox, informing your clients and contacts that you will go on vacation and will be unavailable and, most importantly, appoint someone you trust at the office to cover your field and respond in your stead.Most companies offer holiday leave at least once or twice a year, and it is your responsibility to make it count. Do not forget that this is not a luxury. It is your right, both as an employee and as a human being. You need to recharge your energy to be more productive for the rest of the year. When you return to your office, you should feel fresh and ready to take on new challenges.And if you feel you are on the edge of a burnout, do what my cousin did: Turn off your phone for 24 hours, call your boss the next day and explain to them with a clear head why you need some time off. Even if you cannot have a break from work for a whole week, this would be a good start for the next time.