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Where do you find your stress relief?

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

April 15 -- tax day! Even though this year income tax returns don't need to be postmarked today, just hearing the word, "April 15" can make the blood pressure rise. Add to that the extremely fast-moving real estate markets we're experiencing in many parts of the county, and stress can quickly reach stratospheric levels. 

At times like these the best antidote I have is visiting some of my favorite calming spots. Many of these are in the Presidio of San Francisco, a 30-minute walk from my home, or an even shorter drive. The trail pictured above is one of my favorites--I simply can't help smiling as I walk up or down it. Often I'm alone; sometimes pre-school children are enjoying an outing; happy dogs can be seen playing here, grooving on all the sticks available.

On one particular day lately I found myself looking up to enjoy the beauty of the majestic eucalyptus trees above the trail. Calmness had  returned to my world.

Eucalyptus forest, the Presidio, San Francisco

My question to you: how do you keep sane when the pressure rises?

Comments (24)

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Sally K. & David L. Hanson - I can see how cooking, like gardening, would be a wonderful stress reducer. When I have time, I enjoy cooking, but all too often I'm trying to do to much in a short period, and then cooking adds to my stress. 

Apr 15, 2018 07:13 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Carol Williams - didn't take that spammer long to hit my post! Reported.

 

Apr 15, 2018 08:06 PM
Carol Williams

You should be able to delete that, Lottie Kendall

Apr 16, 2018 06:41 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Lottie that is a good sign your spammer likes Presidio too just like I do:) on a side note I love spammers, they give me feedback that my posts are reaching the Globe:))Endre

Apr 15, 2018 09:40 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I'm up late because I seem to have developed a water leak under my house.  I can hear it running, but I'm not strong enough to turn off the water main.  I'm going to need some stress relief once this remedied.  I suspect tomorrow morning when my favorite handyman wakes up.  I generally find nirvana in a swimming pool.  But, not today!

Apr 16, 2018 01:07 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Myrl Jeffcoat - So sorry to hear the bad news. I had a plumbing leak months ago and it was very stressful. I hope it gets fixed soon and doesn't cost you a lot of money. 

Apr 16, 2018 02:14 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for sharing. I like to call one of my friends or read to relieve stress

Apr 16, 2018 03:24 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Gita Bantwal - I agree; both reading and talking with friends are great stress busters!

Apr 16, 2018 06:30 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Myrl Jeffcoat - I simply couldn't bring myself to "like" your comment! I'm sorry about the plumbing issue, and can see why the swimming pool wouldn't help today. I hope you find the answer and that tonight is better than last night.

Apr 16, 2018 06:32 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Lottie,
I love that path picture.  Would be a good balancing act to walk the poles! 

Apr 16, 2018 06:42 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Endre Barath, Jr. - I hadn't thought of spam comments in quite that way, but you're right. 

Apr 16, 2018 06:45 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Carol Williams - I've been known to walk on the logs -- makes me feel like a kid again  (and you're right about being able to delete the spam comment; I've been told I should leave it until AR staff blocks the spammer, at which time they will delete it--don't know if that's still the case.)

Apr 16, 2018 06:47 AM
Carol Williams

Yes, that's what I do... let the staff block the IP address so they can't spam others. 

Apr 16, 2018 06:49 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That looks like such a great place to get away from the stresses of life, especially if Carol Williams is going to make spam sandwiches for us, haha.

Apr 16, 2018 08:04 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Brian England - ha, ha, ha!! I haven't had a Spam sandwich since I lived in Hawaii!!!

Apr 16, 2018 08:06 AM
Brian England

To be honest, I don't even like spam, so I hope that she would make us some other type of sandwich, haha.  I just liked her picture of spam.

Apr 16, 2018 08:20 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Lottie. I can see why your pressure is released in these beautiful pictures. I drive to a new place and explore.

Apr 16, 2018 08:15 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Heading on new adventures is a great stress buster, Sheila Anderson - I hope your weather is cooperating for you this week. 

Apr 16, 2018 08:40 AM
Sheila Anderson

Hi again Lottie. It is a monsoon here today with heavy winds 45-60mph and ice falling. Maybe next week. I'll take a bath.

Apr 16, 2018 08:43 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Laughter is the best medicine for me.  A phone call with a friend, a quick chat with my husband (who can always make me laugh,) those are the things that relieve my stress.

Apr 16, 2018 10:22 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Oh, I like that, Chris Ann Cleland - laughter is a proven stress-buster!

Apr 17, 2018 08:56 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I am wrung out after tax day. We never know how it is going to turn out and this year we faired well. It is time for a vacation.

Apr 18, 2018 07:23 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Tax day never gets easier, does it Debbie Reynolds ? Just think how our friends who are CPAs are feeling right about now! I've learned not to contact them until May rolls around 

Apr 18, 2018 08:17 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Lottie - you nailed it for me.  I would do exactly the same thing.

Apr 19, 2018 03:18 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hello Grant Schneider - I'm enjoying reading all the comments and the different ways people find to find calmness. 

Apr 19, 2018 07:25 AM