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Stress Relief Tips to Get You Through AEPWe’ve put together some ideas to manage your stress and avoid burnout.

Nurture Basic HealthIt’s easy to feel like production numbersare all that matters during AEP. However, neglecting your basic health needs can have detrimental effects on your body. The Mayo Clinic offers these daily guidelines for maintaining your body’s energy levels and immune system:

•10to20minutesofquietreflection • 30 minutes of exercise • 7 to 9 hours of sleep • Lots of fruit, veggies, and whole grains

Once the essentials are covered, you can dive deeper into understanding your own stress andfindinglong-termwaystomanageit.Forexample, think about what frustrated you last enrollment season (e.g. broken printer, long commutes) and how you can avoid it this year.

Keep a record of your successes in a gratitude journal and read it whenever you feel like things aren’t going well. Alternatively, you could create red and green jars (or use tissue boxes) and put notes in each about what went well and what didn’t. Be sure to hang onto either project so you can remember what worked best – or which mistakes to avoid – come next busy season.

Try to avoid negative “self-talk” habits like catastrophizingandall-or-nothingthinking.Youmay have some unsuccessful appointments or bad days, but it doesn’t mean you’re a complete failure at your job. Keep sending yourself positive thoughts in times of stress! For more guidance, check out these positive self-talk tips from the American Heart Association.

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Work SmarterIf you spent time preparing for AEP – reviewing CMS rules, learning new plan details, and organizingleads–youcanfeelconfidentthatyou’re off to a good start.

So now that you’re here, try to resist the urge toworkconstantlybymaintainingadefinedschedule. According to a 2014 Gallup poll,48 percent of workers who “frequently” use their phone for email outside of normal work hours reported experiencing stress for “a lot of the day yesterday.” Allow yourself to wait until the morningtorespondtolate-nightmessages.

Youcansavetimebydraftingstandardwrittenresponses for client communications, such as thank you notes to send after an appointment. And don’t forget to stock up on supplies as well: enrollment kits, printer ink, folders, pens, etc.Even the little things can cause a breakdown when you’re already feeling stressed!

Consider hiring extra administrative help if you have the funds. Get a secretary who can answer calls, organize your sales materials, and set follow-upappointments.Ifyouhaveanagency,designate a “crisis manager” to deal with issues requiring immediate attention. Establishing these roleswillmakeyoumoreefficientandhelpyouappear more professional to clients.

Can’t afford extra hands? Schedule administration days once a week where you can catch up on paperwork, schedule appointments, and plan for upcoming meetings.

Budgeting and compensation can also be a stressful part of AEP. CMS rules mandate that all sales made during open enrollment won’t be paid out until January when new plans take effect. If your Scope of Appointment allows, be sure to cross-sell ancillary products for a faster payday.

Finally, consider starting or joining an agent support group – even if it’s just on Facebook or asmallgrouptextmessage.Youcanalsocheckoutthebrand-newASG Forum and contribute to the conversation with other agents.

Join the conversation on the ASG Forum.

Share your stress relief tips withinsurance professionals like yourself.

https://forum.theagentsurvivalguide.com

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Utilize TechnologyWhen every enrollment counts, your stress levels areboundtoreflectyourunderstandingofcarrierand consumer tools.

Whenavailable,usee-Appstoensuregreateraccuracy and avoid having to redo applications because of mistakes, poor handwriting, or missing information. Familiarize yourself with software features beforehand so you’re comfortable during an appointment.

After a sale, encourage your clients to download their insurer’s mobile app so they have easy accesstobenefitssummariesandmemberIDinformation.Youshouldstillbeavailabletoanswer questions about their new coverage, but the mobile app will require less of your feedback.

Worried about commuting to appointments? Download a navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze to more accurately predict how long a drive will take. Waze allows you to schedule a trip ahead of time, then they send you anotificationalertingyouwhenit’stimetoleave.YoucanalsolightenthemoodbychangingtheWaze navigation voice – featured celebrities have included Morgan Freeman, Shaq,Colonel Sanders, and Darth Vader.

Familiarize yourself withsoftware features beforehandso you’re comfortable duringan appointment.

Ritter Insurance Marketing | 2600 Commerce Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110 |800-769-1847

©2016, Ritter Insurance Marketing LLC. All rights reserved.

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Have Some FunIt’s important to take a time out once in a while during AEP to avoid burnout. According to theMayo Clinic, simply laughing can have significant short- and long-term effects on improving stress. Laughter can stimulate breathing, reset your stress response, ease muscle tension, improve your immune system, and elevate your mood. So go ahead – treat yourself to a little fun time this AEP!

Belowareafewguilt-freeideas.Justbesureyouusethemasarewardforworkinghardandnotasaway to procrastinate!

• Indulge in an entertainment break – watch a movie or go out for a drink with friends.

• Practiceahobbyorgainthesatisfactionofcompletingaprojectyoucanfinishina

couple of hours – maybe save bathroom demo for another day.

• Find some inner peace. Go for a hike, take a nap, do yoga, or turn your phone off for an hour.

• Play with a pet. Numerous studies have supported the positive healing effects of animals on

stress relief. According to a report by Harvard Medical School, spending time with a pet can

lowerbloodpressure,improvepsychologicalwell-being,andboostself-esteem.

• If you have an agency, plan fun events for your staff like happy hour or a yoga class.

Bringinginfood,specificallypizza,hasalsobeenproventoboost employee productivity.

While AEP is certainly an important time to be productive and work hard, too much

stress will only leave you feeling burnt out and wanting to quit. Incorporate some of our

strategies to work smarter and take advantage of technology to expedite the client side of

things. However, don’t forget to show yourself a little TLC, too. Pay attention to your basic

health needs, and don’t forget to “turn off” once in a while and have some fun as well!

You deserve it.