Fight fatigue
Fatigue arises as a result of many different circumstances, often in combination. If you find yourself 'tired all the time', look critically at these areas and try to make some changes.

Sleep pattern If your sleep pattern is erratic, try to establish a bedtime routine that is conducive to restful sleep. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine in the evening, reduce alcohol intake, avoid a lot of mental stimulation just before bedtime, try a warm bath, a warm milky drink, and a relaxation routine before lights out. Consider using lavender oil to help you to relax at bedtime
Eat properly A good, balanced diet should provide energy throughout the day. Don't miss meals, never skip breakfast, and avoid too much processed food. Avoid sugary foods, as these lead to rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels, with fatigue creeping on as blood sugar levels fall. Keep caffeine levels low and fluid intake high
Make time for relaxation Fatigue is an inevitable consequence of trying to get a quart into a pint pot. People who are over-committed rarely make time to relax and unwind. Make space in your day for half an hour of purely selfish relaxation
Learn to identify and manage stress.

Banish PMS
It has been estimated that up to 95% of women of reproductive age suffer from some symptoms of PMS. About 5% of these women have severe symptoms that seriously disrupt their life, and around 13% have symptoms that make them take time off work. Lifestyle and diet changes help some women, complementary therapies help others, and a minority need prescribed medication. Here are some things to try.

Plan for it PMS occurs at a predictable time, so plan ahead. Don't fill your diary with busy, stressful events. Put off things that can be put off. Don't go clothes shopping when you are bloated and miserable, and don't invite your children's most obnoxious friends for tea. It sounds a bit trite, but it can make a lot of difference
Exercise regularly It improves mood and can help with some of the other symptoms
Avoid chocolate and sugar binges They may relieve the misery for a short time, but they ultimately result in a rapid fall in blood sugar levels, which makes irritability worse
Eat regular meals with a good content of complex carbohydrates Limit caffeine, alcohol and salt intake
Some supplements help some people You can try vitamin B6, Agnus castus (chasteberry), evening primrose oil, magnesium or calcium. Try one at a time to see what works for you
See your doctor if your symptoms are severe All available prescribable treatments can have significant side effects, so are not advisable unless the PMS symptoms are disabling

Beat stress
A certain amount of stress is normal and healthy. Unremitting, excessive stress is bad for you, physically and emotionally. So how can you keep the beast in check?

It is important to be able to identify areas of stress and assess their impact on your life. Most people have a mixture of major and minor stresses, some of which are constant, some of which are intermittent. Some are beyond your control, others aren't
Look at areas that fall within your control, and look at ways to modify that stress. This may involve some uncomfortable decisions, but all possible solutions should be looked into. It may involve changing jobs, working fewer hours, doing without some luxuries etc, but may be worth it. Stressful relationships may have to be re-examined; some relationship counselling may be needed. These are not easy decisions, but may have to be considered
Where you can't modify the stress, try to modify your response to it. Also, make time each day to undertake some kind of formal relaxation technique. This can be exercise, yoga, meditation, listening to music, reading or listening to relaxation tapes. Breathing exercises can also help
Reduce your intake of stimulant chemicals such as caffeine and nicotine. Total elimination of caffeine isn't difficult to achieve and can relieve some of the physical symptoms associated with stress, like palpitations, shakiness and headaches
Reduce alcohol intake. It may initially make you feel slightly more relaxed, but it interferes with your ability to tackle the stress

Boost your sex life
Unless you're a 'trophy wife', your sex life is something that is happening (or not happening) in the context of a busy life. Sometimes it can get squeezed out due to lack of time or energy. But it is important to make time, and don't relegate it to the end of the day, when energy and interest are at their lowest.

Try to vary the time, the place and the mood Sex can be fun, passionate, emotional, energetic, slow or hilarious, depending on the circumstances. It's not always easy to be very inventive when there are other family members around, but take opportunities when they arise
If you feel sexy, you're more likely to be sexy, so take some time to boost your self-image Treat yourself to some pampering products like a great-smelling body wash, body lotion and perfume. You're more likely to feel sexy if you smell great than if you smell of household detergents! Buy some nice underwear, maybe treat yourself to a facial or massage at a salon. You deserve it, and it should make you feel more desirable
Beware of too much alcohol! Two units of alcohol seem to have an aphrodisiac effect on most women, but larger amounts have the opposite effect. Cut down on smoking - it reduces oestrogen levels and sex drive
Sleep well, eat well and exercise regularly Thirty minutes a day of moderate exercise can help to increase sex drive. If your diet isn't very varied, consider taking a good multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Lower your blood pressure
For many sufferers of high blood pressure, the condition is familial, but for some others, there are important lifestyle factors that provoke the problem. For all sufferers, lifestyle changes are an important part of management, and can lower blood pressure to the point where medication is unnecessary, or can be kept to a minimum.

Keep your weight down Weight reduction can have a marked blood-pressure-lowering effect in those who are significantly overweight
Reduce salt intake Excess salt causes fluid retention, which in turn raises blood pressure. Avoid processed foods, salty snacks, obviously salty foods like bacon, pickles, sauces and tinned vegetables in salty water. Stop adding salt during cooking, and try to avoid adding salt at the table. If you can't bear it, try a low-sodium alternative such as Lo-Salt
Reduce alcohol intake Although small quantities of alcohol are thought to be good for the heart, large quantities raise blood pressure
Exercise regularly Blood pressure rises during exercise, but people who exercise regularly have lower resting blood pressure and experience a smaller increase of blood pressure during exercise.