How are your inner resources standing up to the daily barrage of gloomy news, extra work challenges and the demands of your personal life? Is there still room for your spirit to soar, or are you feeling increasingly beleaguered?

It's known that constantly generating stress hormones can lead to long-term health problems. Dr Shelley Taylor and other female colleagues at the University of California looked at the stress behaviour of women and found a startling difference from that of men. Women under stress adopt what Taylor calls a 'tend and befriend' approach in order to cope, while men typically clam up. We think this is significant, so we've created the ideal Me space for professional women like you - or someone you know - to re-energise, gain a fresh perspective, and give yourself some quality attention.

This morning, the subject of integrity reared its head. I don't mean big moral integrity or any of the things that got embedded in my psyche through my upbringing, the protestant work ethic or learning to think for myself. No, it's far more bland than that.

More bland, but quite as important for a coach who is practised at encouraging clients to take care of themselves, 'put their own oxygen mask on first', not take on more than they can handle. It's about finding my own balance among the busyness and the needs of my clients and the demands of non-work commitments.

I recently met Becky John, an amazing woman who is doing great things to create work, training and a social space for marginalised women. Becky is a graduate of Exeter University and cut her business teeth at Southampton University. She is now a completely authentic, passionate and funny social entrepreneur.

I'm going to be following Becky's progress as her company develops.

It's holiday reading time again, and I will certainly be returning to Paulo Coelho's poetic fable about listening to your heart and following your dreams.

Following the boy shepherd Santiago as he travels from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of amazing treasure, this beautifully written book will stay with you long after you reach the last page.