‘I don’t worry about getting old but I do everything that I can to stay healthy’
strong bones. We get it mainly from sunshine, which is in short supply in Northern Ireland over the winter months! It would be a real challenge to get what you need solely from your diet.
How do you take time out?
I joined Ballygowan Community Voices, our village choir, last year. We meet in the village hall every Friday night and sing for an hour and a half, which is followed by a cup of tea and a chat.
I have found this to be a great way to relax and wind down after a busy week.
My cousin and I have been meeting for coffee every Saturday morning for the past 20-odd years where we put the world to rights, share our worries and support each other through the good and bad times. I’m a great believer in the old adage ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’.
How well do you sleep?
I’m not a good sleeper and have tried all sorts, to no avail. Cutting out caffeine and having no screens for an hour before bedtime has been the only thing to help a bit.
Do you worry about getting old?
I don’t worry about getting old but I do all that I can to stay healthy. I’m not sure what 55 is supposed to feel like but I still have lots of energy and there’s so much I still want to do with my life.
For instance, I want to see more of the world. Both Peter and I really enjoy travelling and visiting different countries, trying different foods and experiencing other cultures.
Now that the girls are independent we would definitely like to travel more.
What is your go-to product/habit that keeps you feeling healthy?
I don’t really have a go-to product but when I’m under pressure or need some time out I love to go for a long walk by myself, by the sea if possible, to think and come up with a solution.
BY JUDITH COLE