Health Scan: Monica O’Byrne

Monican O’Byrne: loves to eat out and enjoy a glass of wine in the company of friends and family.
Monican O’Byrne: loves to eat out and enjoy a glass of wine in the company of friends and family.

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle? Overall, I like to think I'm quite healthy. I eat well, I exercise as much as I can and I try to maintain a positive mental attitude. I am very aware of myself, and if I feel I've overindulged I'll get to the gym.

How often do you exercise? I try to exercise at least three times a week. I like to change my exercise regime regularly so that I don't get bored. I might go through a few weeks of going for a brisk walk.

Do you get your five fruit and vegetables a day? I'm lucky in that I love fruit and vegetables so it's not too difficult for me to get my five a day. I will always start the day with muesli and a piece of fruit, usually a banana or berries when they are in season. Lunch can be a bit rushed but when I find the time I try to incorporate a side of greens. I usually eat dinner quite late so I'll opt for something light such as a vegetable stir-fry.

Do you worry? I do. Everyone does to an extent: it's human nature, after all. As a parent I worry most about my daughter, especially when it comes to the all-important exam time. At work, I worry sometimes about decisions I need to make in my role such as spend on a certain project or the rollout of particular campaigns.

What do you do to relax? I love to eat out and enjoy a nice glass of wine in the company of friends and family. I think quality time with loved ones is the most important thing for down time.

What's your worst habit? I'm very aware that my professional life is demanding with out-of-hours events and a busy day-to-day schedule, so I try to counteract this by pre-planning time with my family and friends. However, this never seems to work in my favour and I end up having to cancel plans, which I hate doing. Thankfully, it's something I'm getting better at.

Monica O’Byrne is director of sales and marketing at Carton House, hotel, spa, golf club and restaurants.

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter