Health scan lifestyle Q&A

Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Apart from the stress that goes with my job, I’m mindful to take care of myself. I try to live in the moment and enjoy the simple things in life.

How often do you exercise?

For hillwalking, it’s the Coolies, Donegal, the Belfast hills. It gives you peace and contentment. There’s tranquillity and a oneness with nature. Even the way the light can change – in a landscape you’ve been through a thousand times, you’ll notice something you haven’t seen before.

Would you get your five a day?

I eat vegetables and pulses, though I don’t eat as much fruit as I should, but I have a little container of dried fruit in the car.

Do you worry?

I do – but I try not to worry about things that I don’t have any control over.

If you’re going through a particular period of stress, it’s difficult not to succumb to that. I believe very much in being positive. I do think life is good.

When you’ve been in difficult situations, it makes you appreciate life and the very simple, normal, unworldly things.

What do you do to relax?

I listen to music. The older I get, the more eclectic my musical tastes.

I got the new Springsteen CD for Christmas and I’ve been playing it non-stop in the car. Dylan, Christy Moore, Frances Black, the Chieftains and a whole pile of Americana too.

I like to cook for the family – spaghetti Bolognese, stews and spuds, or fish in the summer.

I also grow trees from seed. Any big house or stately home that I’ve been to in Britain or Ireland, you’ll always root about and find seeds. I took Rowan berries from Chequers and have grown a whole load of those.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

Not saying no more often. You can get yourself into an unhealthy cycle when you mightn’t get a day off for weeks and weekends disappear – that’s not good for anybody.