Health Scan: Helen Carroll, broadcaster

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
Yes, I think I have a relatively healthy lifestyle. When I passed the 40 mark, I became more conscious of it. I always had a dog and I've always walked the dog a lot but now I've taken up running and I'm more conscious of my health and looking after myself.


How often do you exercise?
I do a four-mile run about three times a week with the dog beside me. I live in rural Kilkenny and there is a very quiet boreen where you'd rarely meet traffic so I can let the dog off the lead. Myself and Juno head out early in the morning and I love listening to talk radio.
Do you get your
five a day?
I would. I have a 12-year-old daughter and I'm constantly nagging her about eating enough fruit and veg so I have to do it myself. I'd have fruit with breakfast and snack on fruit during the day and we grow a lot of our own vegetables and fruit as well.


Do you worry?
Yes. I've always been a worrier. I would get stressed out quite easily and I do a lot of my worrying lying in bed at night so absolutely I'm a worrier. And I grind my teeth at night as well – from the smallest things to the biggest things, I'll always find something to worry about. I worry about worrying too much.


What do you do to relax?
I think exercise has made a big difference. At night, when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet, myself and my husband love putting on a box set and losing ourselves in TV. At the moment we're revisiting Friday Night Lights.

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What is your unhealthiest habit?
Stressing out and scoffing stuff that isn't particularly good for me. I have a sweet tooth. I've got a secret stash of stuff so that my daughter can't get it and I visit it too often – mostly biscuits, chocolate digestives.


Helen Carroll supports the Check Your Skin campaign, creating awareness of actinic keratosis, a sun-induced skin condition that can lead to cancer. Visit checkyourskin.ie

Joanne Hunt

Joanne Hunt

Joanne Hunt, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about homes and property, lifestyle, and personal finance