As an insurance broker, you likely have experienced stress in your professional life. Let’s take a look at ways for you to manage your stress. It’s a fact of life, but it’s something that you should take hold of…before it takes hold of you!

Here are 5 stress management tips to help insurance brokers through difficult situations:

1. Breathe. We hear this a lot, but it does physically calm you down. Deep breathing from your diaphragm oxygenates your blood, instantly relaxing you. On the other hand, shallow breathing forces your heart to beat faster and makes your muscles tense up, making you feel even more stressed.
   
   To breathe deeply, place your hand on your abdomen, inhale slowly through your nose, and watch your hand move as your stomach expands. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then slowly exhale out of your mouth. Do this a few times and feel yourself relaxed.
   
   
2. Visualize. “Going to your happy place” sounds cheesy, but studies show that visualizing a calm environment can reduce stress. Choose one that works best for you, be it the beach, the mountains, a waterfall, or a warm bath, to name a few. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths described above, and picture yourself in a serene spot. See the sights and hear the sounds in your head.
   
   
3. Massage. You don’t have to get one—you can give yourself a mini self-massage. A good spot is the palm of your hand. Make a circular motion with your thumb in the palms of each hand. You can also rub the back of your neck and shoulders to loosen up the muscles. Stretch out your neck by rotating your head in a circle.
   
   
4. Mantra. Create a short, concise, positive statement that you can repeat in your head during moments of stress. Affirmations can go a long way toward diffusing negativity. Example mantras are, “I feel calm,” “I got this,” or “This too shall pass.” Say it several times to yourself while breathing.
   
   
5. Smile. Smiling may feel like the last thing you want to do when you're stressed. However, while you naturally smile when you’re happy, smiling can also make you feel satisfied and relaxed. Even forcing a smile makes a difference. Smiling releases nerve impulses that can create a neurochemical balance toward calm.

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