8 Ways to Deal with Real Estate Stress

I know, it’s not easy! Being a real estate agent is not as simple as people think it is. Yes, it absolutely has its perks and benefits but like any other job, it has its downside. Deals that fall through at the last minute, poor communication with lenders or other agents, and even the stress of not generating any leads. These situations are sometimes inevitable but what you can do is to figure out a way to safely deal with this real estate stress.

No one wants to constantly be stressed, and I certainly don’t want you to be stressed while you’re reading this. So, sit back, relax, get your ice cream out and enjoy these 9 ways to deal with real estate stress.

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. It might seem contradictory, but putting physical stress on your body through exercise can relieve mental stress. The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety or stress than those who don’t.

There are a few reasons behind this:

Stress hormones: Exercise lowers your body’s stress hormones – such as cortisol – in the long run. It also helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood and act as natural painkillers.

Sleep: Exercise can also improve your sleep quality, which can be negatively affected by stress and anxiety.

Activities, such as walking or jogging, that involve repetitive movements of large muscle groups can particularly relieve stress. If you don’t want to exercise alone, bring a family member, friends or even a real estate agent from your office!

2. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake

I know this one is a bit hard for some people but caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks. High doses can increase anxiety. People have different thresholds for how much caffeine they can tolerate. If you notice that caffeine makes you jittery or anxious, consider cutting back. Although many studies show that coffee can be healthy in moderation, it’s not for everyone. In general, five or fewer cups per day is considered a moderate amount.

3. Keep a Handy Notebook

Another way to handle stress is to write things down. While writing what you’re stressed about is one approach, another is jotting down what you’re grateful for. Gratitude may help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on what’s positive in your life, especially in your real estate business. This strategy is my favorite one because I’ve found it to be the most effective. For example, let’s say you’re hosting an open house and you don’t think a lot of people stopped by to look at the house. We’ve all been there, we know how stressful that can be but say that from 1 PM to 4 PM only 3 people came in. If you want to look at this situation as positive, it’s important that you remember that you only need one. One buyer or one seller

4. Say No

Not all stressors are within your control, but some are. Take control over the parts of your life that you can change and are causing you stress. A way to do this may be to say “no” more often. This is especially true if you find yourself taking on more than you can handle, as juggling many responsibilities can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Being selective about what you take on, and saying no to things that will unnecessarily add to your load and can reduce your stress levels.

5. Be Mindful

Mindfulness describes practices that anchor you to the present moment. It can help combat the anxiety-inducing effects of negative thinking. There are several methods for increasing mindfulness, including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga, and meditation. A recent study in college students suggested that mindfulness may help increase self-esteem, which in turn lessens symptoms of anxiety and depression.

6. Breathe Deep

Mental stress activates your sympathetic nervous system, signaling your body to go into “fight-or-flight” mode. During this reaction, stress hormones are released and you experience physical symptoms such as a faster heartbeat, quicker breathing, and constricted blood vessels. Deep breathing exercises can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the relaxation response.

There are several types of deep breathing exercises, including diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing, and paced respiration. The goal of deep breathing is to focus your awareness on your breath, making it slower and deeper. When you breathe in deeply through your nose, your lungs fully expand and your belly rises. This helps slow your heart rate, allowing you to feel more peaceful.

7. Avoid Procrastination

Another way to take control of your stress is to stay on top of your priorities and stop procrastinating. Procrastination can lead you to act reactively, leaving you scrambling to catch up. This can cause stress, which negatively affects your health and your sleep quality. Get in the habit of making a to-do list organized by priority. Give yourself realistic deadlines and work your way down the list. Work on the things that need to get done today and give yourself chunks of uninterrupted time, as switching between tasks or multitasking can be stressful itself.

8. How Does a Yoga Class Sound?

Yoga has become a popular method of stress relief and exercise among all age groups. While yoga styles differ, most share a common goal, to join your body and mind. Yoga primarily does this by increasing body and breath awareness. Some studies have examined yoga’s effect on mental health. Overall, research has found that yoga can enhance mood and may even be as effective as antidepressant drugs at treating depression and anxiety.

[If you’re interested in more yoga info click here.]

However, many of these studies are limited, and there are still questions about how yoga works to achieve stress reduction. In general, the benefit of yoga for stress and anxiety seems to be related to its effect on your nervous system and stress response. It may help lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate and increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that is lowered in mood disorders. I’ve always said, if I were a real estate broker, I would provide my agents with a yoga class at the beginning of the day at the office!

Next Steps

I hope you were able to get some valuable information out of this article! Too much stress can block your mind from being productive, and when you’re running a business, that’s the last thing you need. Please feel free to start a conversation and comment your thoughts below. Also, check out my Agent Tools page where I have compiled resources and recommendations for real estate agents like you, who are ready to take their real estate marketing one step further.