Claims adjusting can take a mental toll on insurance adjusters who don’t know how to set boundaries and manage their stress. This job is rewarding, but it can be tough. You might be traveling a lot, spending hours navigating to get where you’re going, calming down upset policyholders, and unintentionally overloading yourself with work. We’re here to tell you that it gets easier, but there is a learning curve. You need to learn what your skill level is and discover your limitations too. Until you figure that out, we can offer you some tips and tricks to help manage the stress.
Set a schedule
One of the biggest contributors to stress is a lack of work-life balance. When you work as an independent adjuster, you’re essentially working for yourself. You may feel obligated to pick up more cases than you can handle and pick up the phone even during your downtime. This will put you on the fast track to burnout. There will always be more than enough cases to go around. Take time to prioritize yourself. Set and enforce a work schedule. Once your “office hours” are over, turn off your phone and do something you enjoy.
Pick up a hobby
After a long day of traffic and people upset and dealing with significant damage to their property, you’ll need to unwind. Finding a hobby that you can enjoy each day can provide you with a boost of serotonin that will keep you at your best. This can also be a great way to meet new people that can provide you with a sense of support and kinship.
Get outside
Go for a walk outside! Some fresh air and sunlight will help refresh you after driving around all day, analyzing damage, and staring at your technology. Just a few minutes outside can help sharpen your mind and help you relax.
Clean up your diet
A greasy unbalanced diet can actually make you more reactive to stress. It’s understandable that you may get into the habit of picking up fast food for lunch when you’re out and about. However, high levels of fat and sugar can cause your long-term health to deteriorate and negatively impact your mental health. Consider prepping your meals, and bringing healthy meals along with you on assignment.
Exercise
You should definitely consider taking up an exercise routine. Exercise reduces stress hormone levels and encourages the production of endorphins, which can improve your mood and reduce pain. Prioritize exercise in your schedule whether it be walking, jogging, swimming, or a quick game of pick-up basketball with your friends.
See a therapist
You may also consider seeing a therapist. Counselors can help you get to the root of what’s causing your stress. With just one session a week your therapist may be able to help change your negative thought patterns and offer you some healthy coping techniques.
2021 Training School for Insurance Adjusters
While being an insurance adjuster brings stress, it’s also exciting and rewarding. You get to travel, meet new people, and make a lot of money in the process. If you utilize these tips, you’ll manage the job and your health easily. If you’re ready to learn more about this career path, and what you can expect, get in contact with us. When you’re ready to take the next step and become an insurance adjuster we have a variety of online insurance adjusting courses to get you started.