Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
Yes, I think I have a relatively healthy lifestyle. When I passed the 40 mark, I became more conscious of it. I always had a dog and I've always walked the dog a lot but now I've taken up running and I'm more conscious of my health and looking after myself.
How often do you exercise?
I do a four-mile run about three times a week with the dog beside me. I live in rural Kilkenny and there is a very quiet boreen where you'd rarely meet traffic so I can let the dog off the lead. Myself and Juno head out early in the morning and I love listening to talk radio.
Do you get your five a day?
I would. I have a 12-year-old daughter and I'm constantly nagging her about eating enough fruit and veg so I have to do it myself. I'd have fruit with breakfast and snack on fruit during the day and we grow a lot of our own vegetables and fruit as well.
Do you worry?
Yes. I've always been a worrier. I would get stressed out quite easily and I do a lot of my worrying lying in bed at night so absolutely I'm a worrier. And I grind my teeth at night as well – from the smallest things to the biggest things, I'll always find something to worry about. I worry about worrying too much.
What do you do to relax?
I think exercise has made a big difference. At night, when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet, myself and my husband love putting on a box set and losing ourselves in TV. At the moment we're revisiting Friday Night Lights.
What is your unhealthiest habit?
Stressing out and scoffing stuff that isn't particularly good for me. I have a sweet tooth. I've got a secret stash of stuff so that my daughter can't get it and I visit it too often – mostly biscuits, chocolate digestives.
Helen Carroll supports the Check Your Skin campaign, creating awareness of actinic keratosis, a sun-induced skin condition that can lead to cancer. Visit checkyourskin.ie
