What habits do you prioritise for physical health?
I generally eat a healthy diet — that would have been part of my routine as an athlete. I eat small amounts in moderation. Since my diagnosis, I am in regular contact with my GP and consultant and have a good relationship with both of them.With Parkinson’s there has obviously been a challenge transitioning from being a healthy 46-year-old to having a condition that is more associated with older people. That took a toll initially. Over time I have managed to get my head around that.
I have learned to be much gentler on myself. I think I was always quite competitive and driven, whether it was sports or work. With Parkinson’s you have to adapt and recalibrate expectations and goals.I keep saying I would love to take up meditation or yoga or something like that but I have been saying it for years and I haven’t done it yet. I am a bit of a one-trick pony with the running: I’ve always done it and love it.
I also think the workplace, where men spend a lot of time, is an important setting to target men’s health. There is an opportunity there to develop good habits; to make men more aware of what they should be looking out for as they get older; to promote peer support. We are doing some work with Cairde at the moment, which is a suicide prevention project in the construction sector.