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Today for R U OK?, agents and property managers are encouraged to connect with colleagues, start meaningful conversations and implement daily wellbeing strategies, as mental health remains a challenge in the industry.
Real estate has always been a challenging industry, demanding resilience and thick skin, with agents and property managers being at high risk of mental health issues.
According to the Rise Initiative, the impact of work pressure is significant, with 80 per cent of agents reporting anxiety related to their workload, 53 per cent struggling with maintaining mental health and switching off.
Additionally, 76 per cent of agents reported symptoms of burnout and 60 per cent regularly deal with aggression and abuse.
Similarly, over half of property managers face mental health challenges, with 54 per cent struggling personally, 51 per cent overwhelmed by workload, while 53 per cent reported dealing with aggression from owners and renters.
Head of the Rise Initiative Kylie Davis said the data underscores the emotional toll of real estate and the need for proactive support, self-care and open conversations about mental wellbeing, as the industry ranks above the national average for stress, anxiety and burnout.
“Taking care of your mental health is essential because when we think better, we feel better, and then we perform better. And there’s a lot of performance in real estate, and a lot of people are operating on empty,” she said.
“But I think when we have a really solid foundation, when we’re feeling good about who we are and what we are doing and how we’re helping people, that then feeds through into all parts of our lives.”
As the busy spring season approaches, Davis urges property professionals to focus on simple daily habits to manage stress, such as sleeping well, staying hydrated, taking fresh-air breaks and practising mindful breathing.
“It’s important to give ourselves some dopamine hits from exercise or fresh air or being out in nature, or even just walking around the block with a friend and a coffee rather than sitting at a desk and having a coffee.”
She said that like mobile phones, real estate agents can quickly run their “batteries” down, with daily habits and meaningful interactions becoming essential to recharge regularly.
“Daily habits and social time make you feel grounded; it’s all about being connected to friends, family, colleagues and feeling a sense of achievement.”
“These sorts of micro things can make a huge difference,” she said.
While Davis believes that R U OK? Day is an important day to spark conversations and bring some awareness to mental health in workplaces, property professionals should also check in with their colleagues regularly.
She said that instead of asking the are you okay question, real estate agents could ask their team what “their cruising altitude is” and “how does their day compare to other days” to have a better understanding of others’ wellbeing.
“And it’s completely normal to have days when you’re up and days when you’re down.
“It does become an issue when you’re having days where you are wildly veering up and then the next day down, or when you are just constantly heading down and you can’t seem to course correct.”
She said that while cruising altitude can be different to everybody, it is a good initiative to keep people’s wellbeing in check and take the necessary precautions.
“By asking what your cruising altitude is, it could be a non-invasive way to check in,” Davis said.
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