While most people realize that real estate can be stressful, few realize just how stressful or why a career in this industry can put more pressure on an individual than meets the eye.
The following is a summary of the stress associated with real estate, how it can affect you, and what a real estate agent can do to reduce and manage stress successfully.
Is Real Estate Stressful?
The following are some of the macro influences that might affect a real estate agent’s ability to make a living:
- Economic downturns
- Real estate bubble bursts
- Over-priced market conditions
- External events like the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic
In addition, every real estate agent encounters the following:
- Financial pressure to close deals to make a living
- Excessive expectations of sellers and buyers
- Tight lending markets or lack of qualified borrowers
- Demands of managing multiple listings
Every property sale also runs the following risks:
- A sale failing because of an external influence (denied loan, inspection issue, etc.)
- Buyer or seller pulling out because of an external influence
- Poor inspection results delaying a closing
Real estate brokers encounter most of these factors on an ongoing basis and, occasionally, all of them simultaneously.
With all the possible stress factors, it is no wonder that most real estate agents can benefit from learning coping skills for anxiety and stress.
Signs of Stress
Stress can manifest itself in a person in multiple, different ways. No two people experience the effects of stress the exact same way. Here are just a few ways stress can affect a real estate agent.
High Blood Pressure
It is well-documented that stress increases a person’s blood pressure.
High blood pressure can cause catastrophic health issues, including, but not limited to:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Long-term heart disease
- Kidney damage
- Memory loss
- Vision issues
- Fluid buildup in the lungs
Panic Attacks
Most people do not fully understand panic attacks until they experience one, but if you have, you know how horrible they feel.
Shortness of breath, elevated blood pressure, headaches, foggy thinking, manic outbursts, and a profound sense of danger or impending doom are just a few of the many symptoms of a panic attack.
Depression
Depression also has a lot of manifestations, from sadness and despair to anger, irritation, and physcal symptoms. Untreated depression can lead to substance abuse, debilitation, and even self-harm.
Substance Abuse
Abusing substances like alcohol and drugs is probably the most common indicator of stress, no matter what industry. Substance abuse is a common form of self-medication for stress, anxiety, and depression, and it can lead to lasting physical, social, and emotional harm.
Disordered Eating Habits
Another common symptom of too much stress is extreme changes in diet. Some stressed people do not eat properly and deprive themselves of nutrition. This kind of disordered eating can result in complications in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems.
Some stressed people eat to cope. Eating to excess can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, bone and joint problems, and other health severe impacts.
Other Symptoms of Stress
Other symptoms of an excess of stress, or that a person is not handling stress well, include, but are not limited to:
- Insomnia
- Headaches and Chronic Pain
- Frequent Sickness
- Digestive Issues
- Changes in Libido
How To Combat Stress
Once you have identified the symptoms of stress, the next step is to find out how to alleviate the tension or help deal with it more productively. Here are a few common treatments for people showing signs of stress.
These also can apply to people who are not “stressed out” but feel pressure from their work in real estate.
Exercise and Physical Activity
It may be a cliché, but exercise and physical activity really do make you feel better. Both promote blood flow, activate muscles, and release endorphins, elevating your mood.
Plus, exercise and physical activity have been found to provide an outlet for perceived physical and mental stress according to some studies.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet promotes good health. Plus, you feel better when you are eating healthily. The key is a balanced diet – that includes healthy, nutritious options and the occasional indulgence.
If you overindulge already, scaling back to a more moderate diet might cause stress in the short term, but soon enough, opting for nutrition and moderation will help to reduce stress.
Sex and Intimacy
It is easy to overlook, but intimacy with a loved one is a great stress reliever. If both of your schedules are busy, set one night aside as “date night” and go into it with the goal of spending quality time together.
Logging Off
Turn off your phone and tune out, at least a few hours before bed. Few things that happen beyond 9 p.m. can be fixed that night and even fewer cannot wait until morning.
Tuning out the rest of the world at the end of the day is a good idea because it lets you refocus on what is important to you, reprioritize your life and relax your mind.
