In an industry like real estate, burnout rates are high. It's completely performance-based, and the norm to work 12+ hour days six or seven days a week.

If you're in real estate, you live and breathe your job. 

In between meeting with buyers and sellers, conducting open for inspections, organising listings, analysing market trends, and locating and inspecting properties, there isn't much opportunity to take time for yourself.

You probably already know the symptoms of work burnout. You're stressed, overwhelmed, and you dread going to work.

Melissa Karatjas of Real Estate Career Developers says even though it's a scary prospect, you should tell your boss you need help.

"If they don’t know, how can they support you?" she told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

"It is best to speak to your boss and let them know that you need help. If you can do this in a positive way and make suggestions that can have an impact on the overall team that is even better. Maybe you aren’t alone in your thoughts."

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She says employees are entitled to take mental health days.

"An open conversation is the best way to go about it and take it from there. Burnout is a cause of long-term stress, with both physical and emotional exhaustion. It is very important to get support if this is how you feel."

Before talking with a boss, seeking advice from a confidante in the workplace can be helpful too.

"Seek advice from a mentor who can help you navigate the areas you are having trouble with. This person could help you learn to prioritise better, organise your time better or simply teach you how to rephrase questions and answers to clients so you have more positive outcomes," she said.

If the thought of telling your boss how you're feeling is terrifying to you, there are plenty of other coping mechanisms you can use instead.

"Exercise and sleep are the best strategies to cope with burnout. 

"Keep a gratitude diary so you can focus on the positives in your life, and set small achievable goals to make you feel like you are kicking goals," she advises.

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Ms Karatjas says the road to recovery can be a long one.

"It depends how burnt out you are. Long-term stress can take weeks to recover from. Sometimes even months.

"Everyone deals with stress differently and depending on the level of burnout you are facing, it could be a long journey."

Quitting your job isn't always the answer either.

"If you feel burnt out, it might be time to take a holiday. A small staycation can refuel you and break up the daily routine. But changing jobs isn't necessarily the answer until you deal with the situation."

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Related reading:

How to avoid career burnout in real estate

What you wish you knew before entering into a real estate career

Five signs a career in real estate is right for you