Lifestyle Q&A:Dr Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist and expert panellist on RTÉ's Operation Transformation
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
I do my best, mostly good days with some slips. Thankfully, I don’t smoke. I acknowledge to my patients that it’s one of the hardest drugs to give up. I drink socially. My commute is more than an hour so on occasions I get muscle strain on my neck and shoulders. Lifestyle is centred around family activities with Carol my wife, Oisín (2), and another due in a few days! We’re anticipating a major lack of sleep. I wonder how my exercise routine will last. I love family life, it’s so grounding, particularly in the work I do.
How often do you exercise?
Over the past six months I have upped my exercise to three times a week. Research shows that a support network helps in keeping a healthy lifestyle going. I have to thank my brother Noel and his dog Jazz for pushing me in the woods over the weekend.
Do you get your five a day?
Yes. I love all food, unfortunately! So I try to up my veggie portions. There is a blueberry farm locally and I have fresh or frozen blueberries in porridge all year round for breakfast.
Do you worry?
At times I worry, but not a lot. Sometimes I get stressed, it’s normal. It’s how you deal with it that’s most important. I use the tools of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – breathe deeply and challenge the worry thoughts so that they are more in perspective.
What do you do to relax?
I am an active relaxer. I like family activities, barbecues, walks, swimming with my son Oisín. My biggest relaxation is travelling and exploring new places and going to barbers in countries where I don’t know the language and seeing what happens. If pushed, I would say my greatest relaxation is skiing down an isolated slope – freedom, movement, exhilaration, bliss. I read but not enough, probably related to being overloaded with reading of research related to my professional activities.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
Taking on too many projects. Life is so engaging, it’s hard to say no to some opportunities. Then again, doing loads can be harmful in maintaining a healthy balance. Surely that’s the challenge to all of us, to maintain healthy balances.
