Health Scan Sinéad Moriarty, novelist

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?At the moment yes, I'd say I do, but no doubt it will all go pear-shaped. I'm turning 40 soon so I'm trying to be more aware of what I'm eating and trying to make healthy choices. But on the weekends I let myself eat whatever I want. Life is too short.

How often do you exercise?

I try to go for a good, brisk uphill walk three times a week – Killiney Hill would be a favourite. When you work from home and you don’t commute, you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer in your own house. It’s good to get out and clear your head and it’s a great way to start your day. I think a lot about my plots and characters when I’m walking. I find it very helpful.

Do you get your five a day?

No. It seems to be an awful lot to try to consume in one day. Maybe I’m not trying hard enough but I think it’s quite difficult to get your five a day in. Depending on the day, I’d probably get two or three in.

Do you worry?

I do, I am a worrier. Work and family would be the two main things. It is essentially a waste of energy but I am a worrier, I think I’m getting better though.

What do you do to relax?

I read. For me, that is the best switch off. To disappear in the world of a book is the most amazing thing. I also love going to the cinema but I find when you read you’re completely engaged. You’re reading words but you are imagining pictures in your head so all your senses are engaged. I think that’s a really great switch off.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

I have a very sweet tooth; I suppose that’s a downfall – mostly chocolate and any products with chocolate on them. For me, selection boxes have everything that you could ever want in them.

Sinéad’s new book is called This Child of Mine.