In real estate, the spring selling season is pretty much our super bowl. We’re working around the clock, scoring big wins, and, sometimes, letting stress run the show.
While we applaud your hard work and celebrate your successes, even type-A overachievers need time to recharge. By not taking time out to take care of you, you may actually be hurting your overall creativity and productivity.
So during high season, when it’s hardest to slow down, be sure to consider stress management. From mini escapes to little indulgences, breaks in the routine can help bring balance to hectic days.
Already objecting? Pick just two favorites from this list and treat yourself this week. Do we have a deal?
Put yourself in “time out”
Meditation, mindfulness, simply observing sights and sounds around you. Sounds hokey if your usual speed is “mile a minute,” but just a brief retreat from the digital pings and daily to-do’s can benefit your well-being.
In a study conducted by Lark, deep breathing helped participants decrease systolic blood pressure. That’s the number typically touted as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people over 50. Lark researchers noted that “even a single session of slow breathing and mental relaxation can reduce blood pressure, along with heart rate and breathing rate.”
Whether it’s just 10 or 20 minutes a day, “time out” may become a habit you actually look forward to. Need some help getting started? The Insight Timer app invites users to explore silent and guided meditations of any duration as well as in-depth courses and lectures on the benefits of mindfulness. (It’s free!)
Walk, stretch, lift, repeat
For all but the most committed fitness enthusiasts, workouts are often the first to get cut from a busy schedule.
But the science here is clear. Staying fit as we age has innumerable benefits, from the cognitive boost that immediately follows a workout to the weight management that comes with daily exercise.
Not a gym person? The pandemic ushered in a new era of high-tech, at-home fitness machines. From Mirror to Tonal to Tempo, these smart gyms offer everything from weight training to cardio, and even the guidance of a personal trainer.
If you need a bit more motivation, enlist a workout buddy (or even a remote trainer) who can help keep you accountable. There are also countless fitness Meetups in all 50 states that cater to every interest under the sun from hiking to yoga to walking.
Laugh it off
Your doctor may not prescribe it, but maybe they should! According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter provides a wealth of stress-relief benefits from stimulating organs to soothing tension to strengthening immunity.
For some, laughter just comes naturally. For others, it takes intentional effort. Instead of watching the news tonight (don’t worry, someone will catch you up), turn on a comedy or stand-up special. Spend time with kids or pets who like to ham it up. Check out Amazon’s or Audible’s top-selling humor selections. And, if all else fails, laugh at yourself and invite others to join in. Laughter tends to be contagious.
Find new music to love
There are few experiences more transformative than listening to music. Too many of us put this simple, but profound pleasure on the back burner when life gets busy. But with streaming services putting a world of music at your fingertips, there’s no excuse not to indulge.
In CNET’s latest list of best streaming services, Spotify takes the top spot thanks to its “fun, easy-to-use interface” (see, instant stress management). Some are even free, plus you’ll get access to podcasts and other enjoyable escapes. With no piles of music to manage (unless you’re into vinyl), you can be swept away to a better frame of mind in minutes.
According to psychologists, listening to music can even reduce stress and anxiety in hospital patients after surgery. That’s one powerful pathway to bliss.
Make a date –– with your friends
Sure, family time is great, but it has a way of leading to conversations about homework, car repairs, and wet towels left on bathroom floors. Friend time, however, can feel more like a staycation.
Spending time with friends can even help with stress relief. According to Harvard Medical School, social connections not only give us pleasure, they also “influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have social support from family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.”
Good friends can also boost your confidence, encourage healthy behaviors, and push you to be your best. If quarantine life has left you feeling a bit out of practice, check out these heart-warming photos and videos of post-pandemic reunions. (You got this.)
Ask for support
At work and at home, sometimes we just need to ask for help. This doesn’t come easy for everyone, but asking for favors actually increases your likability and can even strengthen your relationships. It’s called the Ben Franklin Effect and it has a unique ability to build rapport among people.
At Weichert, leaning on colleagues is practically built into our system. With brokers of all sizes and experience levels located across the country, we’re constantly sharing ideas and information that may be helpful to affiliates and their teams. It’s often a favorite perk of independent brokers who join Weichert. Instead of competition, we’re connected by a common vision.
Spring is always an exciting time at Weichert. New agents are making their first sales. Experienced brokers are growing their teams. And, ideally, thousands of clients are experiencing the special way we do business. We wish all of our affiliates, agents, colleagues, and you, our readers, a healthy and successful selling season.
Want to learn more about Weichert and how we prioritize agent support? Reach out anytime.
