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What is National Stress Awareness Month?

National Stress Awareness Month, usually celebrated in April raises awareness about the negative effects of stress. Stress has become a common problem for the average person in the UK. According to research from Champion Health in 2023, 79% of people reported frequently feeling stressed which was mainly work-related.

The history of National Stress Awareness Month dates back to 1992 when the Health Resource Network, a non-profit organisation established a campaign to encourage people to understand the negative impacts of stress and information on how to manage it. Since then, it has become widely acknowledged across the nation.

So how is this relevant to property managers?

Property managers go through a lot of stress daily, especially those who own several rental properties. That’s why stress management is crucial to avoid feeling overwhelmed. In this blog, we will delve into what stress is, its symptoms and how you as a property manager can ensure optimum performance levels. This is the ultimate guide to ensuring your work-life balance stays, well…balanced!

What is stress?

According to the World Health Organisation, stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. This usually happens due to a lack of control over what is happening around us. It’s a natural human response enabling us to tackle difficult threats and challenges.

Many factors could cause stress, ranging from physical, emotional and mental. It’s normal for everyone to feel stressed at some point in their lives to a certain degree. However, if it begins to affect your daily life and activities, expert help might be required to help manage your symptoms.

How do you know if you’re stressed out?

Different symptoms of stress affect us physically, emotionally and mentally. Although relatively mild during temporary overwhelming situations, these can become a problem if not properly managed, leading to ‘burnout’. Below are some of the most common symptoms of stress experienced by individuals:

Emotional and mental symptoms

  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Constant racing thoughts; unable to switch off
  • Feeling depressed
  • Lack of interest in usual activities and life in general
  • Feelings of tenseness
  • Anxiety and nervousness

Physical symptoms

  • Panic attacks
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea, dizziness and fainting
  • Rapid weight changes (loss or gain)
  • Chest tightness and pain
  • High blood pressure

Want to know how you can combat stress? Keep reading!

One of the most common places people experience stress is in the workplace. Increased workload, lack of time and fast-approaching deadlines can make it all the more stressful for anyone. Luckily, we have a few tips and tricks below to help you keep calm and carry on:

1. Meditate meditate meditate!

Meditation is an effective way to relieve stress, as not only does it help quieten your mind, but it also helps your muscles relax, reducing the ongoing tension. During each session, your mind becomes fixated on one thing at a time, allowing you to switch off from everything else. Think of it like being transported into a different realm!

2. Self-care is self-love!

Self-care is important. Like very important. We often forget to look after ourselves as we become so focused on getting things done by certain times without thinking of the consequences it may have on us. Examples of self-care include regular exercise, eating healthy and balanced meals, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and setting goals and priorities. These tips will increase your productivity and thus reduce stress in the long term.

3. Music to your ears!

We all have a song that gets us moving. Whether in the kitchen whisking up a treat, or simply on the commute going home, music can transport our minds into a different world, helping us feel more relaxed. According to research from the University of Nevada, upbeat music can make you feel more optimistic about life, with a slower tempo leading to a quieter mind and relaxed muscles. Music boosts serotonin levels in the brain, the hormone responsible for improved mood and concentration. So, try adding a little bit of zen to your playlist!

4. It’s a secret…

Remember that time as a young child, documenting your daily activities and adventures in a small diary, keeping it a secret from everyone else? Well, the same applies to journaling as an adult! Sometimes, documenting your feelings and noting goals and accomplishments may help get a few things off your chest. Not only will this increase your productivity, but it will also give you a safe space to express your feelings. Think of it as a friend on paper.

5. Reading

Often, we associate the concept of reading with school days. It may well have been boring (sometimes), although many of us have found a hobby in doing so. Sometimes, reading books can take our minds off stressful situations, allowing us to switch off and wind down. Poems are also a good way to add an extra spin to it!

6. Nurture your love for nature

You can never go wrong with a walk in the outdoors! Nature presents scenes which naturally calm your nerves. Imagine the fresh smell of the leaves and grass after a rainy day, or the serene sounds of streams and lakes with birds chirping away. Local parks are a good idea as they foster biodiversity, enriching your mind, body and soul.

7. Foster your creativity

A creative mind comes into great use during times of stress. Take time to make things, decorate a room, or even paint. Seeing colours and engaging in activities like these will not only take your creativity to the next level, but it will also put your mind at ease knowing that you’re in full control.

Stress and property managers – where does the correlation lie?

Before we delve into the deep end, let’s first define a property manager. So who are they? And what do they do? Well, property managers oversee the daily operations of a property or estate. They generally have many responsibilities, with some examples below to name a few:

  • Booking guests into their properties
  • Maintaining their properties
  • Resolving complaints and issues
  • Managing finances
  • Ensuring properties are fit for human habitation
  • And much more…

Is it stressful being a property manager?

Being a property manager with different rental properties can be a rewarding experience whilst equally challenging at times. Below are some of the reasons why it can be particularly stressful:

1. You never know who you’ll meet next…

That’s right! You come across different types of people every day, so you never know when you’ll be in for a surprise. Most of the time, people are understanding and respectful. Occasionally, however, you may come across difficult people who no matter what you do, will not make life any easier for you. This is one of the most damaging aspects of the rental industry and can have you feeling overwhelmed or even unappreciated.

2. The ‘I forgot it was due today’ excuse…

Although you benefit from being your own ‘boss’, it’s easy to brush things under the carpet. This can cause tasks to build up, eventually increasing stress levels as you begin to panic that things won’t be completed in time. Being laid back without being accountable for your performance will ultimately decrease productivity. Therefore, it’s important to develop workflows which will help you manage your time effectively.

3. Lack of guidance and training

In this day and age, switching careers has never been easier. A lot of industries require education with qualifications before you become fully-fledged and experienced. However, in an ever-changing world, gaining such qualifications can be done in a short period. For example, you can become a property manager with a two-day crash course which guarantees certification. On the other hand, you would miss out on fully understanding the challenges you may face, adding to the lack of experience. However, others are lucky to have someone more experienced who can teach them how to deal with these challenges should they arise.

4. Long hours of work

A lot of the time, especially for those starting, or for more seasoned professionals, it usually involves long and odd hours. This could mean answering emergency calls to fix repairs late at night which may take several hours of your time, and even working on weekends. This is typically the case when you own several properties which would require close maintenance.

So how do you deal with stress as a property manager?

Being a property manager requires a lot of training, so it’s important to be equipped with the right tools which will enable you to perform your tasks effectively. Have a look at the list below outlining how you can combat stress as a property manager:

1. Practise makes perfect!

Many property managers use Property Management Software (PMS) to help streamline their business operations. This means less time spent on repetitive tasks (such as messaging and invoicing) and more time spent on growing their business. Learning how to use such software will automate your operations, boost your productivity and generate more revenue for your rental business. The experience will also give you the chance to teach other aspiring property managers.

2. Organise and communicate!

As a manager for any company in any industry, communication and organisation are paramount in ensuring the smooth running of a business. A team that communicates ensures everyone is on the same page, with minor issues being resolved before they become bigger problems. Organisation is also a must. Having a team of individuals who each have different tasks should be considered. For example, are tasks being completed to their deadlines? Are issues being resolved? And finally, are things being followed up? These factors can be the difference between night and day.

3. Time for some time-out?

Scheduling some time out for yourself is important in maintaining optimum levels of functionality, alertness and productivity. This would include getting enough sleep, plenty of exercise and eating a well-balanced diet. Sleep is particularly important as this will allow you to switch off, getting you ready for the next day ahead.

4. See into the future…

As a property manager, you would want to set yourself long-term goals which will allow you to see which direction your business will be heading. Think about what you want for your business in the long term. Increased revenue? Increased customer base? Or would you like to make sure you can stay profitable for as long as possible? These factors should all be considered when setting goals. Of course, they must be realistic and achievable!

So what have we learned this month?

So far, we know that National Stress Awareness Month is a key factor in helping us understand that sometimes, it’s okay to not feel okay. Stress can harm our lives, which is why it’s important to tackle it and make the most out of the support we can receive, whether from a family member or a qualified professional. However, it’s important to note that a little goes a long way. Therefore, small but consistent actions such as a walk in the park or just a bit of mindfulness will go a long way in reducing our stress levels and improving our overall well-being. Property managers go through stress quite often with bookings and property maintenance but also difficult people. Luckily, there are many ways in which we can deal with stress, and most of the time it’s only a temporary hurdle.

All that’s left to say now is less stress and more success!