Recharge this holiday: Why agent wellbeing isn’t optional

Davis said it had been a “monster” year for the property market in 2025, with the industry landscape changing drastically.

She said that, with rate cuts and low supply driving high demand, and government schemes designed to help buyers enter the market, agents had to navigate a rapidly changing landscape.

As a result, Davis said property professionals needed to make the most of the opportunity to unwind and relax at the end of the year, before starting again in 2026.

“Wellness isn’t optional, and it’s not just nice to have,” Davis said.

“It’s something that we have to have on our radar constantly in and out of our practices so that we are looking after ourselves.”

When it comes to wellbeing, Davis compares it to a phone battery: it takes longer to recharge the more drained it is.

“It’s a really important thing to think about, too, that you don’t need to run down to zero to deserve a rest,” she said.

“You can’t hustle if you’ve got nothing in the tank.”

She said that when prioritising wellbeing, it was essential to go beyond the mindset of “because it doesn’t matter, therefore it shouldn’t affect me”.

“It’s actually about recognising that it has an impact on you, and that impact basically drains your coping battery as an agent or as a property manager,” Davis said.

“If you’re dealing with people that are constantly in that state, then that is going to drain on your battery.”

Davis said that to get the most out of their holidays, property professionals should aim to ease their workload and wind down progressively, rather than trying to stop immediately.

“What I have learned in my career is that switching off like that is almost impossible,” she said.

“I always make sure when I’ve got holidays booked that I give myself three or four days to scale down so I don’t try to go cold turkey, because cold turkey never works.”

When returning to work, she said it was essential not to rush back to full speed, but ease back in.

“Give yourself a week of switching off before you start to try and use the brain again,” Davis said.

After taking time to relax, Davis said agents can return with a fresh perspective and tackle existing problems.

“You’ll find yourself thinking of really creative solutions to problems you couldn’t solve all year.”

Wellbeing goes further than a holiday

Davis said that instead of prioritising wellbeing only around the holidays, agents should take on daily habits to ensure they won’t burn out.

“What are we doing on a day-to-day basis that actually recharges our battery?” she said.

Some simple strategies agents could use to recharge include reading a book or going to the beach with family and friends, giving themselves a chance to switch off.

As a stress-reduction and mindfulness practice, Davis encouraged agents to list the changes they wanted to make in the new year, noting that no goal was too small.

“These things don’t have to be big, scary, audacious goals that you can complete by the end of February. They can be microhabits,” Davis said.

“Don’t put them in your phone, write them down by hand because that’s easier on your brain.”

She said that performing small tasks like journaling or going for a walk, and being mindful when agents are seeking distraction, will help lighten their mental load and reduce stress.

Handling all-around stressful experiences

Even with over a decade in the real estate industry, Davis said that navigating the stresses of buying and selling a property can be challenging.

“I am completely amazed at how triggered I am on all levels about the work that’s involved in selling a home,” Davis said

“It’s been a really interesting experience because it makes me realise what real estate agents deal with every single day.”

“If I’m feeling like this, knowing everything that I know, what must it be like for people who don’t know what they are about to go through, who are just sort of diving in and coping the best they can?”

She said agents should not take clients’ frustrations personally, noting that the emotionally charged experience of buying and selling often leads to outbursts.

“When people are going down this path, it becomes a very full-on experience for them for a short but intense period of time,” she said.

To better handle the stresses involved, Davis said agents needed better strategies to ensure clients feel supported without taking on excessive pressure themselves.

“I love this idea of holding space rather than having to feel like you have to listen.”

“Because if you feel like you’re listening, you have to solve a problem or jump in with an answer.”

“Sometimes they’re not looking at you for answers; they’re just looking to be heard,” Davis concluded.

Listen to the whole episode here