1. Recognize and identify the source of stress: It is important for Poppy to acknowledge and understand the specific factors causing her stress at work, such as the financial pressure, promotion failure, and redundancy rumors. By pinpointing the sources, she can focus on finding appropriate solutions.
2. Assess coping mechanisms: Poppy should evaluate her current coping strategies and determine if they are effective in reducing stress. If not, she can explore alternative techniques such as relaxation exercises, time management, prioritization, and seeking support from friends and family.
3. Seek support: Poppy should continue to rely on her friends and manager for emotional support and guidance. Sharing her concerns and seeking advice from her support network can help alleviate stress and provide a fresh perspective.
4. Prioritize self-care: It is crucial for Poppy to prioritize self-care amidst the stress. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, and taking breaks throughout the workday. Taking care of her physical and mental well-being will enable her to better manage stress.
5. Set realistic goals: Poppy should set realistic goals for herself in terms of her work performance and career advancement. By setting achievable objectives, she can reduce the pressure she places on herself and work towards consistent growth, rather than expecting instant success.
6. Develop stress management techniques: Poppy can explore stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, or journaling. These techniques can help her calm her mind and alleviate stress during challenging times.
7. Communication and assertiveness: Poppy should communicate her concerns to her manager, expressing her need for support and understanding. Open and honest communication can lead to targeted solutions and accommodations that can help minimize stress.
8. Time management and organization: Implementing effective time management techniques, such as prioritizing tasks, breaking them down into smaller steps, and creating a schedule, can help Poppy feel more in control of her workload and reduce stress.
9. Develop a support network: Poppy can consider joining support groups or seeking professional counseling if she feels overwhelmed. These resources can provide additional tools and insights for managing stress and building resilience.
10. Celebrate small achievements: Recognizing and celebrating small achievements along the way can boost Poppy's motivation and sense of accomplishment. By acknowledging progress, she can maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated during challenging times.
It is important for Poppy to remember that managing stress is an ongoing process, and she should be patient and kind to herself during this time.
Poppy Castle had a secure job and what she thought was a happy home life. Her husband then
suddenly divorced her and moved to Australia, leaving Poppy with a young child and a house
with a large mortgage. When John (my husband) left me with a child and the house to pay for,
my first thought was to give up work. How could I cope with the stress of childcare and all the
household expenses by myself? I had a relatively secure job, and some good prospects, but the
wage wasn’t that great. My friends at work, though, told me to hang in there. They felt that
because I was good at my work, I should stay put and apply for whatever help I could in the way
of benefits, and so on. I took my friends’ advice, but I began to feel stressed at both home and in
the workplace. The financial pressure was getting me down. “A chance for promotion then came
up, so I applied for it. Everyone said I should get it, but because of the stress I was under, I didn’t
prepare properly. I also didn’t pay enough attention to the questions at the interview. So, of
course, I failed. Failure of this sort doesn’t do your self-esteem any good. Still, I had to get on
with things. My friends were a great help, and so was my manager. She told me that there’d be
other chances for promotion and I’d get there in the end. “Then another problem arose in the
form of redundancy. The redundancy was a rumour, but the company was going through a rough
patch, and job losses were all that people could talk about. This upset me, because despite the
promotion knock-back, I was coming to terms with my life. The redundancy talk turned out to be
just that - talk - but I could have done without the rumours. I knew all this stress was beginning
to affect the quality of my work. I then handed in a letter of resignation to spare myself the
embarrassment of being fired. My manager advised me to take a day off and think carefully
about what I was doing. She didn’t want me to leave, and she knew that there was going to be
another opportunity for promotion within the next few weeks. After several chats with my
manager I stayed. The promotion opportunity did come again, and I did succeed the second time
round. Things are still tough financially, but with the support of workplace friends and my
manager, I’m much happier.
Identify and explain steps you would follow to manage Poppy Castle’s stress at work
1 answer