Me and My Health

How much sleep do you need?

''More than I get, which is probably six hours a night. I'd like more, about eight or nine.''

How do you feel first thing in the morning?

''The alarm tends to go off at about six or half past six. So I usually feel like I wish I didn't have to get up, but because of children and work, that's the time it has to be.''

What exercise do you take?

''Hatha yoga, which features on my video, and I go to the gym for a general circuit - light weights, treadmill, stepper and rower - if I feel I have to, but not often.''

Are you careful about what you eat?

''No, not particularly, but I eat quite healthily and I don't have a hugely sweet tooth, so I eat pretty much what I want. I love spicy things, although that's not very good for you if you have a lot, which I do. I love spicy things with chillies and pasta.''

Are you happy with your weight?

''Yes. I'm generally about eight stone and I'm five foot three.''

Are you happy with your body shape?

''No, I'd change most things, but I wouldn't spend money on it. One has what one has. Certainly, as one gets to a certain age, things are not where you want them to be. But, your body is your body, and I do all right for my age.''

Do you take any vitamin/mineral supplements?

''No I don't, but I think I should take something for joints and bones, for older age.''

Do you have any vices?

''I don't have any. I can't think of anything that I shouldn't do that I do. I like the odd drink, and I've smoked in the past. However, we can't buy too many packets of crisps, because I will eat the whole family pack on my own, and I don't share. So I suppose not sharing my crisps is a vice.''

Does your work affect your health?

''Yes it does, because of the length of hours. It depends on my storyline, but we can do a six-day week, 12 hours a day. You probably have about 45 minutes for lunch, over which you're still working. And then you go home and spend another two hours working, learning lines or whatever. So there are times when you don't see the light of day and that's when it's very tiring. It adds to the stress, because you're still trying to keep your home life going and you've got children who say, 'Mummy don't go to work, because I don't see you'. But sometimes it's not quite as bad as that, and I really enjoy the people at work. The atmosphere is great.''

Do you catch a cold most winters?

''Touch wood, I'm generally pretty healthy. I probably have one cough or cold a year - but we're not allowed to be ill at work so you go in anyway. One tends to be ill during the holidays or at weekends, when it doesn't matter.''

Do you think you suffer from stress?

''Yes. It's probably caused by trying to do lots of things at once - trying to organise the family, go to work, produce a yoga video and study a yoga course. My family are great. They're very supportive.''

How to celebrate

without suffering

OVER Christmas and New Year, the average adult will have consumed the equivalent of 23 pints of beer, five measures of spirits, three bottles of pre-mixed spirits and three bottles of wine, according to research by Yakult yogurt.

Professor Colette Shortt, visiting lecturer at Ulster University and director of science at Yakult, suggests that to reduce damage and avoid a hangover after a night out, you should follow these tips:

Eat a large, starchy meal before you go out;

Count the number of alcohol units you consume;

Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks;

Don't mix your drinks (which will increase the cocktail of toxins your body has to deal with);

Drink water before you go to bed.

Prof Shortt also recommends drinking a probiotic such as Yakult to boost the friendly bacteria in your gut.

Why meals should be eaten slowly

YOU may feel ravenous after a day at work or a bout of exercise, but if you eat too quickly and don't chew enough, you can swallow a lot of air, making you feel bloated and uncomfortable.