‘Nothing beats a healthy diet and plenty of water’
beats a healthy diet and plenty of water. I take a daily multivitamin and a probiotic supplement. Sometimes I take cod liver oil too, but the one we’ve got at the moment is just a bit too fishy for me, so it’s been getting overlooked. My immune system strength is really important since I’m in contact with lots of little ones who often have snotty noses.
How do you take time out? Exercising has become a very special time out for me. I get to focus on myself and the task at hand. It’s actually key to my mental health. I also spend as much time as I can with my kids when I’m home. There are days when I may not feel I’ve got the energy they demand, but instead of fighting it, I throw myself into the moment. It’s a great distraction from the rest of the world. I also take an hour each day to read a book. Sometimes you need some paper between your fingers, a little black pudding for the mind.
How well do you sleep?
Not great. I tend to be a light sleeper, but I do aim for seven to eight hours a night. It’s getting easier as the kids get older. Thankfully those often sleepless nights and broken sleeps are a thing of the past for a little while… until they become teenagers.
Do you worry about getting old? As a young man I worried about getting old or trying to get everything done. The older I get the less I care. My dear friend, the late Ulster actor and playwright Sam McCready, believed age was just a number and didn’t represent the vitality of the person. At 82 he was still writing, still painting and still inspiring. I have always taken that to heart and not let age be a hurdle to life. To grow old is a great honour and more should be made of it. I will say this… it does take a bit longer to heal.
What is your go-to product that keeps you feeling healthy? Water. Lots of water. If I haven’t had enough water throughout the day, I can feel it. It’s essential for my singing that I stay hydrated as well.
Catch Kyle Riley’s Sing To Me Tour (aimed at under eights) which features songs from his 2018 release of the same name at: Marketplace, Armagh, March 9; Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry, March 16; Ards Arts Centre, April 6 and Ranfurly House, Dungannon, April 25