The period before menopause is known as pre- or perimenopause period when some loss of libido occurs. The hormone called progesterone is responsible for this downfall and is key to causing a resulting hormonal imbalance. Remember, job of hormones is to regulate certain processes in body. An insufficiency in hormones disrupts this balance and creates problems. Loss of libido is not restricted to having a lack of sexual desire. Vaginal dryness and discomfort can force women to avoid having sex altogether. Creams and gels are used to combat this problem. The emotional changes associated with menopause can also affect sexual desires, as women often feel overly aggressive, irritable, and sometimes depressed – mental conditions that require peace time instead of ´hot and heaviness.´

Dealing with people, your customers and your team, can both drain your brain and your body - and you probably don't need me to tell you that.

Let's look at Brain Energy - Imagine that you receive a letter from your bank manager saying - - "I need you to come in and see me." If you react to that with - "Oh no! What does he want, what's wrong now? Maybe he wants to recall my loan." That sort of reaction drains your brain of energy and gives you stress.

The successful business person doesn't react she thinks. Reacting drains brain - thinking, less so.

Get thinking bit working and say to yourself - "I'll phone him now; I'll speak to him and see what he wants. If it's about poor business results, what information do I need to make my case? Perhaps he wants to talk about how I could develop business." Whatever you're thinking - stop negative stuff - it'll kill you

If one of your people comes to you with a problem or you receive a customer complaint, start thinking - "Let's see what I can do about this."

Do not, and I repeat - Do not say - "Oh no! What am I going to do now?" Every time you say - "Oh no!" - your brain has a huge drain of energy.

I just want to say a few more words about stress. People will tell you that there's good stress and bad stress. I'm talking about bad stress and it occurs when your brain is drained of energy. Some business people seem to believe that it "goes with territory" and some even wear it as a "badge of honour."

They also believe that it can't be avoided; it's part of being in business and world we live in. Organisations do have a responsibility to minimise levels of stress in their workforce but we have a responsibility for ourselves.

It's very important to minimise your levels of stress and you can do that by thinking rather than reacting. Challenge your inbuilt programs, stop saying - "That makes me really mad" or "That really gets on my nerves."

Start saying - "This is something I have to deal with and I'll deal with it" - You have choice.

I know your probably thinking (or is it reacting) - "That's all very well Alan but its hard sometimes not to get stressed." You're absolutely right however; let me give you some more reasons why you need to work at minimising it.

Stress can cause heart disease, sleeplessness, sexual problems, overeating, drinking too much, loss of concentration and stomach upsets. Research is now telling us that many if not most of our illnesses can be related to stress.