As a real estate agent, days can be very busy. Hustle culture is real and becoming more common, but it's very unhealthy. It's important to find ways to reduce stress to stay healthy and provide the best service for clients. Fortunately, there are some great ways a real estate agent can do that. With the right focus on self-care and an understanding of healthy boundaries, real estate agents can manage their stress and take better care of themselves. That's good for both them and for their clients.
Tips for Reducing Real Estate Stress
The right focus on stress reduction can make all the difference. It's one of the best ways to feel healthier, get more done, and protect energy and focus. Here are a few of the most important ways a real estate agent can practice self-care and keep their stress levels down.
Set Boundaries
There's no reason a real estate agent has to be available on a 24/7 basis. Being available for clients is important, but downtime is also necessary. Instead of answering emails, texts, and other requests for interaction as often as possible, throughout the day and night, set some working hours and stick to them. Saying "no" to clients is not only okay, but it's often necessary.
If an agent decides to be available outside of standard working hours, they can choose a short time window during the evening, for example, when they reply to questions and requests.
Take Breaks
Many real estate agents work through lunch to get more done to stay caught up with their clients. Instead of doing that, consider taking that actual lunch break. Go outside if the weather permits, and take a walk. Read or watch a funny video. Talk to a friend instead of a client. There are all kinds of ways a real estate agent can get a break during the day. Breaks are an important and necessary part of getting things done. Without breaks, the stress level can start to build up.
Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself
There's no need to be a superhero during a real estate career. Being realistic about expectations is one of the areas where many agents struggle. They want to help everyone, so they end up taking on too much. Then they can't get it all done without really overworking themselves, and that leads to burnout, resentment, mistakes, and a whole host of other issues. Agents with realistic personal expectations can avoid all of that and stay healthier and calmer throughout their careers.
Organize Your Space
Clutter and a lack of organization can very easily contribute to higher levels of stress. When a real estate agent organizes their desk, files, digital clutter, and other spaces, they can lower their stress level and start feeling better about getting things done. Organizing a space is one of the best ways to improve mental health and clarity, and it can also help with focus and task orientation.
In short, it's easier to get things done in an uncluttered space, and people often feel happier, as well. A real estate agent often has a lot of files and paperwork to keep up with, so organization is one of the biggest keys to keeping stress levels down.
Stop Sacrificing Sleep
Sleep is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. When people don't get enough sleep, they can be groggy and irritated. They may also make more mistakes, have trouble focusing, and take longer to complete basic tasks. But it's not only that. A lack of sleep can also contribute to weight gain, poor heart health, mental health issues like depression, and other problems. It can be tempting to skip sleep to get things done, but it's not a healthy way to accomplish more.
Recognize When You're Becoming Stressed
Many people don't realize how stressed they are until they reach a breaking point. It's a good idea to stay in tune with feelings and concerns to make sure stress is getting stopped before it becomes worse. That way, a lower level of stress can be managed and handled, and a real estate agent can keep helping clients without burning themselves out. Recognizing stress for what it is and addressing it early on is important for a higher level of health and life satisfaction.
Self-Care Strategies for Real Estate Agents
As a real estate agent, days are often very busy. There's a lot going on, and the pressure to keep hustling is a big part of how society operates. But agents don't have to subscribe to hustle culture. Instead, they can put their focus on self-care.
Do Yoga
Yoga can help relieve anxiety and stress, and it's anyone can do it, even if they've never done it before. There are many easy stretches and poses to do, and beginner's yoga can be found online or in person. It's relaxing, but it's also very good for strength and flexibility. Because it combines mental and physical health benefits, yoga can be a great option. It doesn't have to take long, either, and a few minutes is all a real estate agent needs to experience great benefits and start feeling more relaxed through the use of a daily yoga practice.
Try Journaling
Journaling is one of the ways a lot of people cope with stress and anxiety. Using a journal allows someone to get their feelings out on paper, so they aren't taking up space in their minds. By doing that, they can feel more relaxed, more capable, and more focused on the things they need to do that day.
Journaling and getting their thoughts down can help a busy real estate agent get past anxiety, depression, and other feelings they may not have a good outlet for otherwise. It also helps them see where they may be devoting too much time and effort to areas of their life that need adjustment.
Meditate
Meditation is a practice designed to help quiet the mind. By doing that, stress is reduced, and it can be easier to find clarity. Many people meditate to reduce anxiety, but it's also a great tool for reducing general stress. Meditation doesn't have to take a long time, and it gets easier with practice. By focusing on breathing and letting thoughts come and go, a person doesn't get "stuck" on a thought that's holding them back or keeping them worried about different things in their life.
Practice Breathing Exercises
Proper breathing is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. Many people breathe from their chest, which causes them to take shorter, shallower breaths. When they learn to breathe from their stomach, though, they breathe more deeply. This relaxes the body, and improves mood, mental clarity, and focus. It's also easy to do and can be done just about anywhere, at any time. That makes it a great exercise for real estate agents who are busy and on the go throughout the day.
Take a Vacation
Taking a vacation is a great way to relax and unwind. Just keep in mind that it's not necessary to make big travel plans to enjoy some time off. Even just staying home and spending time on hobbies is a good way to relax. Sometimes a big, fancy vacation can actually cause stress due to all the planning and expense. No matter what kind of vacation a real estate agent chooses, though, they should take the time to relax and get a break from their work. It will still be there when they get back, and they'll feel better.
Don't Be Afraid to Take Days Off
Mental health days are important, and in many professions, they can even be necessary. Sometimes, it's just good to take a break, and it's not usually healthy to work seven days a week. A lot of real estate agents are always working, so they can keep their clients happy. But don't be afraid to take a day off sometimes. As long as there's good communication with clients, there's no reason why days off should be a problem. Everyone needs days off where they can relax and recharge for upcoming work.
Overall, real estate agents try to be available for their clients as much as possible. After all, if clients can't reach the agent, they may choose to hire someone else. But real estate agents are human, and they need to take breaks just like anyone else. Self-care isn't selfish, and it's needed for people to regroup and rest.
When real estate agents take time for themselves and practice good self-care techniques, they're healthier. They can also give more value to their clients, which helps them grow their business and get more done in life, both in a personal and professional capacity. It's worth taking the time for proper wellness.