Health Scan: Mary O’Rourke

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle? Reasonably so. I fall down on some fronts, such as exercise, but my diet isn't too bad. I could certainly try to do better.

How often do you exercise? Not enough! At my age it would consist of brisk walking.

I was out walking a lot when I was canvassing for my son, Aengus O’Rourke, when he was running in the recent Westmeath-Longford by-election.

I certainly felt better for it and made a promise to myself to keep it up when the elections were over. Do you get your five fruit and vegetables a day? Yes I do – but I definitely eat more fruit than vegetables. I would always have bananas and oranges in the house and I love having berries, especially this time of year when they're selling the Wexford strawberries on the side of the road. I probably should eat more vegetables.

Do you worry? Yes of course I worry. I worry about my family, especially my grandchildren. I worry about what lies ahead of them and what decisions they'll have to make. I worry about politics as well. I still have an enormous interest in what's going on and worry about what the political parties are doing.

What do you do to relax? I'm a great, vociferous reader. I read at least two papers a day and keep up with all the news. I always love to read books. My son recently gave me the new Myles Dungan book Mr Parnell's Rottweiller, which I'm enjoying greatly. Reading is my escapism.

What's your worst habit? A nice slice of cake with a mug of tea in the evening. If I'm out at a restaurant or even just at home I find it hard to resist.

Mary O’Rourke is ambassador for a new shingles awareness campaign. For more information go to www.shingles.ie or speak to your GP.